NHPC: BEYOND POWER GENERATION

Walking to a brighter future: School girls in Uri walking to their well-equipped school, thanks to NHPC

As you leave Baramulla town towards Uri, the journey offers stunning views of alpine mountains and the majestic Jhelum River flowing through the valley. The villages are perched high in the hills and from a distance, and you will be surprised to see two-storey houses built on such steep terrain. Further on, views of flat land and more mountain villages with vegetable gardens and fruit orchards greet you.

Uri Tehsil, in the Baramulla district of Kashmir, was once a tense region along the Line of Control, and where Indian and Pakistani forces often exchanged fire. In the late 1990s, amidst ongoing militancy, a major development reshaped the region’s landscape -- NHPC started work on the Uri Hydroelectric Project. By 1997, a 480-MW run-of-the-river power station was commissioned on the Jhelum River, marking a milestone in the region’s power infrastructure. Further, Uri-II, a 240 MW project commissioned by NHPC in the FY 2013-14, has been instrumental in supplementing the region’s power supply.

The company’s contributions extend beyond power generation, however. Through its CSR programs, NHPC’s Uri Power Station has played a pivotal role in the development of the region, particularly in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district. It has funded the construction of pavements in mountainous villages, buildings for educational institutions, and essential medical equipment for hospitals, thus addressing some of the most pressing needs of local communities.

Filing out of the building, the children’s faces are flushed with happiness. Uri now has a proper higher secondary school, giving hope to people. “Earlier, we lacked proper infrastructure, and it affected our studies. Today, thanks to NHPC, we have a well-constructed building,” said a teacher. Abdul Khaliq Ganai, the school’s principal, expressed gratitude to NHPC and stated that the initiative undertaken by NHPC’s Uri Power Station in Education sector has significantly improved the learning environment.

NHPC’s impact is also evident in the healthcare sector. At the Block Medical Office in Uri, NHPC’s Uri Power Station has provided a state-ofthe- art USG machine, sparing residents from traveling to Baramulla for diagnostic tests.

Dr Balvinder Singh, block medical officer (BMO) Uri, says, “Such advanced equipment is rarely found at the tehsil level. NHPC’s contribution has significantly enhanced patient care.”

In Sopore Sub-District Hospital, NHPC’s contributions received appreciation from the medical community. Doctors said the highfrequency X-ray machine provided by NHPC’s Uri Power Station has superior imaging quality. “This machine is unmatched in North Kashmir. The clarity of results is remarkable,” a radiologist said, showing X-ray images as proof.

The hospital has also received a high-end Doppler machine, further enabling advanced diagnostic capabilities. “The machine has been a gamechanger for our patients, significantly improving diagnostic accuracy,” says Dr Zulfikar Ahmad, BMO, Sopore.

He said the cost-saving benefits of NHPC’s intervention are immense. “Most hospitals lack such advanced imaging technology. Patients typically have to pay Rs 800 to Rs 1,200 for these tests at private facilities. NHPC’s initiative has made these services accessible and affordable,” he added.

NHPC’s Uri Power Station has spent around Rs 7.00 crore on healthcare infrastructure and medical equipment in Baramulla district alone, showing its commitment to improving healthcare accessibility. The work on the emergency ward of Sopore Hospital has also been completed.

Beyond education and healthcare, NHPC’s Uri Power Station has also extended CSR support to the region’s horticulture sector, a crucial component of the local economy. In collaboration with District Administration Baramulla, NHPC’s Uri Power Station has developed nurseries at Khawajabagh Baramulla and Baghe Sundri Nowpora, Sopore, under its CSR program to establish ultra-high-density orchards. These orchards will serve as demonstration plots for local farmers, promoting improved farming practices and enhancing productivity, particularly in apple production. The initiative aims to boost the horticulture sector in Baramulla, support local farmers, and improve their competitiveness, ultimately contributing to the region’s economic growth and development.

Empowering dreams: A teacher ignites hope, supported by NHPC’s commitment to better education

The Himalayas, a majestic tapestry of snow-capped peaks and verdant valleys, hold stories of resilience, aspirations, and quiet struggles. In the remote village of Tikri-Saho, 18 km from Chamba, Himachal Pradesh, children like Amir, a bright-eyed seventh grader, dream as high as the towering mountains that surround them. Yet, harsh realities threaten to shatter these dreams. His father, a labourer, earns just Rs. 7,000 a month—barely enough to meet basic necessities. Still, Amir dares to hope for a brighter future, one that is slowly becoming a reality.

During our visit to Tikri-Saho, we witnessed first-hand the challenges faced by young learners. Children sat in the open, their makeshift classroom housed within a panchayat office. Government-provided textbooks and the promise of a midday meal stood as testaments to the state’s commitment to education. However, the single-room space, where three classes had been conducted simultaneously since 2017, underscored the immense difficulties faced by both students and teachers. Rekha Gakhar, a dedicated teacher, shared the daily struggles of imparting knowledge in such constrained conditions.

Now, change is taking root. With NHPC’s CSR funds, a two-room government middle school is rising from the ground. More than just bricks and mortar, this structure represents opportunity, hope, and the promise of a better tomorrow.

Where play meets possibility — children embrace a brighter future, nurtured by NHPC’s educational initiatives

Umesh Kumar Nand, Head of NHPC’s Chamera 2 Power Station —a 300 MW hydroelectric facility on the Ravi River—shared the vision behind these initiatives. For the construction of 52 schools across the Chamba district, Rs. 5.24 crore has already been disbursed out of the estimated project cost of Rs. 9.05 crore. This ambitious initiative includes 30 primary schools and 22 middle schools located in remote areas. It is a direct response to the needs voiced by local panchayats and validated by a 2019 survey, aiming to transform the lives of nearly 2,000 children.

Bridging distances, delivering care — NHPC’s mobile medical services bringing healthcare closer to Himalayan communities

Further extending its commitment to education, NHPC’s Chamera 2 Power station has supported Kendriya Vidyalaya located in Karian (Chamba), where 377 students from underprivileged backgrounds receive quality education. 25% of admissions are reserved for SC/ST/BPL and EWS category students, ensuring that children from the most marginalised communities have access to learning.

Perhaps the most touching example of NHPC’s Chamera 2 Power station’s impact lies in its commitment to children with special needs. In a remote village, a mobile therapy bus, facilitated by NHPC’s Chamera 2 Power Station and operated by the Samphia Foundation, stands as a beacon of hope.

This initiative has made a profound difference in the life of Lovish, a 12-yearold boy battling a rare skin condition and mental health challenges. The bus, equipped with state-of-the-art physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy equipment, is staffed by dedicated experts who travel to different villages six days a week, bringing specialised care directly to those who need it most. CSR head of NHPC’s Chamera 2 Power station, explained that this Rs. 97 lakh initiative was born out of a deep commitment to ensuring that children with disabilities receive crucial therapy and care, regardless of where they live.

Recognising the fundamental importance of healthcare access in remote areas, NHPC’s Chamera 2 Power Station has spent Rs. 14.63 crore to equip Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Government Medical College, Chamba with an advanced CT Scan Machine & MRI Machine. Dr. Bipin Thakur, Chief Medical Officer of Chamba, expressed heartfelt gratitude for this invaluable support, highlighting the impact of the advanced medical equipment such as CT scan and MRI machine.

Further strengthening healthcare services, a mobile medical unit, provided by NHPC’s Chamera 2 Power station, provides primary health check-ups, free medicines, and awareness on government health schemes. A six-bed hospital within the Chamera 2 colony offers 24x7 medical services, including X-ray, ECG, and maternity care, ensuring that locals residing in the vicinity have access to quality healthcare round the clock.

Through education, healthcare, and special-needs initiatives, NHPC’s Chamera 2 Power station is doing more than just generating power—it is empowering lives. These efforts, driven by NHPC’s commitment to sustainable development, are transforming Himalayan communities one step at a time.In the face of adversity, hope is being built—brick by brick, bridge by bridge, and life by life.

As part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, NHPC’s Subansiri Lower HE Project initiated the KALASH scheme in January 2016 across five districts of Assam -- Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Majuli, Narayanpur, and Sonitpur.

The scheme aimed to provide safe drinking water to local communities. The project installed KALASH units in public places such as schools, colleges, markets, Anganwadi centers etc. To implement the scheme, NHPC’s Subansiri Lower HE Project signed MoUs with local bodies and committees, resulting in the successful construction of 1,841 KALASH units by October 2018. This low-cost initiative, priced at Rs. 88,087 per unit, benefits approximately 150 people per unit. The total expenditure for the scheme amounted to around Rs 16.50 crore, benefiting approximately 2.70 lakh people.

“For years, our school struggled to provide clean drinking water for students and staff. When we finally received the KALASH unit in 2017, it was a huge relief. Despite our late application, the NHPC’s Subansiri Lower HE Project generously installed it, ensuring we no longer have to worry about safe drinking water”, stated Dimbeshwar Pegu, Headmaster of Jonki Panoi High School.

“For years, our school struggled to provide clean drinking water for students and staff. When we finally received the KALASH unit in 2017, it was a huge relief. Despite our late application, the NHPC’s Subansiri Lower HE Project generously installed it, ensuring we no longer have to worry about safe drinking water”, stated Dimbeshwar Pegu, Headmaster of Jonki Panoi High School.

Water, dignity, and change — how NHPC’s Subansiri Lower HE Project is reshaping lives across Assam and Arunachal Pradesh

In February 2016, NHPC’s Subansiri Lower HE Project introduced the ROCum- Sanitation Complex under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to provide affordable, reverse-osmosis (RO) purified drinking water in densely populated urban areas, as well as sanitation facilities. The ground floor is designated for sanitation with separate units for men and women, while the first floor housed a 1,000 LPH capacity RO plant.

This self-sustaining model generates revenue from the sale of purified water and toilet usage fees, ensuring that maintenance costs are covered. The project was implemented in collaboration with district administration. Ten such complexes were constructed across Dhemaji, Gogamukh, Gerukamukh, Bilmukh, Podumani, North Lakhimpur, Narayanpur, Gohpur, and Majuli in Assam, along with one in Kolaptukar, Arunachal Pradesh, benefiting approximately three lakh people.

Building futures, one classroom at a time — NHPC’s enduring commitment to education, empowerment, and equality

To support education, NHPC’s Subansiri Lower HE Project constructed seven additional classrooms at Mingmang Kamala Miri High School in Dhemaji district, Assam. With an expenditure of Rs 44.85 lakh, the project created a better learning environment for 333 students, enabling more children to access high school education.

Responding to public demand for a quality educational institution, NHPC’s Subansiri Lower HE Project initiated the construction of Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya (VKV) at Dollungmukh in Arunachal Pradesh. The project began in December 2013, and includes academic buildings, dormitories, staff quarters, internal roads, boundary walls, and sewerage system. The total project cost is Rs 13.40 crore, with an expenditure of Rs 10.57 crore incurred to date.

To empower women financially, NHPC’s Subansiri Lower HE Project signed an MoU with M/s Kemli Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd in Kamle district, Arunachal Pradesh, in 2022. The agreement aims to provide livelihood enhancement training on operation of automatic handlooms for 160 disadvantaged women from Dollungmukh Circle.

The training was conducted in four batches over three months each. NHPC’s Subansiri Lower HE Project incurred a total expenditure of Rs 53.40 lakh on this skill development initiative to boost income generation opportunities for marginalised women.

Under the National Mission “Swachh Vidyalaya Abhiyan,” NHPC’s Subansiri Lower HE Project constructed 3,129 toilets in government schools across 14 districts of Assam and four districts of Arunachal Pradesh during FY 2014-15 and FY 2015-16, benefitting two lakh students. The total expenditure incurred on the construction of toilets amounts to Rs 57.45 crore.

Through these initiatives, NHPC’s Subansiri Lower HE Project has significantly contributed to improve water accessibility, sanitation, education, skill development in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

“Most of our students come from financially challenged backgrounds. NHPC has been immensely supportive, assisting with building construction and essential amenities. They have provided separate toilets for boys and girls, a KALASH safe drinking water facility and even constructed the approach road, which previously didn’t exist. Additionally, they have supplied CGI sheets, TMT bars, and other materials for construction. They are not just helping to make buildings and support but also building futures”, signs off Dr Surajit Doley, Principal of NCD College, Bordoibam.

We couldn’t agree more!

Clean hands, bright futures — nurturing hygiene with NHPC’s support