MEIL Threatens to Abandon Rs 3,700 Crore Rattle Hydropower Project in J&K Due to Political Interference

The 850 MW Rattle Hydropower project in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district faces potential abandonment as the construction company expressed serious concerns on Saturday. Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL), the Hyderabad-based firm handling this Rs 3,700 crore project, cited persistent political interference as the primary reason for their possible withdrawal.

MEIL officials stated they are being compelled to employ unskilled workers due to pressure from local politicians, which is significantly compromising both safety standards and quality of this critical infrastructure project on the Chenab river.

Harpal Singh, Chief Operating Officer of MEIL, expressed his frustration: "Imagine constructing a 133 metre high dam and an 850 MW underground power project with workers who lack proper competence. These employees have been forced upon us through pressure tactics, blackmail, work stoppages, and even physical assaults on our officials."

Singh directly implicated local politicians and MLAs in Kishtwar for creating obstacles to progress and appealed to both central and state governments to intervene. He warned that without resolution, the company may have no choice but to abandon the project entirely.

"If these disruptions continue, project abandonment becomes a real possibility. This would result in enormous financial losses considering our substantial investment already committed. We've also provided a bank guarantee to NHPC," Singh explained.

The most significant challenge facing the construction company is the workforce composition. Singh revealed that of the 1,434 workers at the project site, 960 come from Kishtwar alone. "Most of these local workers lack the necessary skills and experience. We were forced to hire them due to political pressure and coercion," he stated.

He cautioned that employing such a workforce could potentially compromise the project's quality and safety standards while also extending the completion timeline.

"Four hydropower projects in Kishtwar district—Pakaldul, Rattle, Koru, and Kawar—are all behind schedule because of BJP-sponsored unions creating difficulties. These actions are negatively impacting crucial national infrastructure projects on the Chenab river," Singh added.

On Friday, MEIL issued a formal notice accusing local political figures of inciting project disruptions among the local population.

This isn't the first crisis for the Rattle project. A similar situation occurred in 2013, resulting in work disruption and an eight-year delay.

The Rs 3,700-crore project was awarded to Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Ltd in April 2022.

Construction activities had received significant momentum following the government's suspension of the Indus Water Treaty after the terror attack in Pahalgam in April. With India no longer constrained by IWT requirements for projects on the Indus system, dam construction can proceed without requiring Pakistan's approval or clearance.

The recent troubles began last week when a senior company official was attacked by a mob and his vehicle was damaged by stone-throwing.

In its notice, the management has warned about a potential "suspension of Ratle Dam construction activities for an indefinite period."