NHPC Invites E-tenders for Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project in Ramban District

NHPC Limited, a Navratna public sector enterprise of the Government of India, has recently announced the invitation of online E-tenders for various major works associated with the Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project in Ramban district. This move marks a significant step towards the much-awaited implementation of the mega power project, with the total estimated value of the tendered works standing at an impressive Rs 5,129 crore.

The official notice issued on February 5 reveals that NHPC is seeking bids under the Domestic Competitive Bidding (DCB) mode, exclusively limited to Indian companies and contractors, for Package-I of the project. The scope of work for this package includes the construction of diversion tunnels and adits, cofferdams for diverting the Chenab River, access tunnels and roads, dam construction, and hydro-mechanical works.

The estimated cost for Package-I is Rs 5,129.03 crore, with a completion period of nine years (108 months). Interested bidders are required to submit an earnest money deposit of Rs 10 crore, and the cost of the tender document is set at Rs 40,000. The tender opening is scheduled for March 24.

The local residents of Ramban district have expressed excitement regarding this development, as they anticipate that the commencement of on-ground work on the Sawalkote project will create numerous employment opportunities and significantly boost the local economy, particularly in the Ramban region.

The Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project Overview

The 1,856-MW Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project is located on the Chenab River, spanning across the districts of Ramban, Reasi, and Udhampur. The dam will be constructed in Ramban district, the diversion tunnel for the Chenab River in Reasi district, and the underground powerhouse in Udhampur district. Envisioned over six decades ago, the Sawalkote project, upon completion, will emerge as the largest hydropower project in Jammu and Kashmir and the third largest in the country, with an estimated total project cost of Rs 31,380 crore.

Despite facing prolonged delays over the past several decades due to various reasons, the fresh issuance of tenders has reignited optimism among the residents, especially in the Tanger panchayat area of Ramban district where a significant portion of the Sawalkote project, including the dam, is situated.

Several preliminary works have been undertaken in recent years, including the construction of a 1.5-kilometre access tunnel and a bridge across the Chenab River in the Tangar area by the Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation (JKPDC). In 2021, the project was transferred from JKPDC to NHPC, and a 40-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between NHPC and the Jammu and Kashmir administration for the construction, operation, and eventual transfer of the project back to JKPDC.

Following the Pahalgam incident in April last year, the Central Government announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and reiterated its commitment to expediting work on the Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project. While an earlier tender from global consultancy firms in July 2025 was canceled, the latest tendering process has renewed hopes for the timely implementation of the long-pending project.