Lok Sabha Question No. 1857 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-31
Subject: Uninterrupted  Electricity Supply in Villages of Ladakh
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Shri Mohmad Haneefa

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1857 ANSWERED ON 31.07.2025

## UNINTERRUPTED ELECTRICITY SUPPLY IN VILLAGES OF LADAKH

1857. SHRI MOHMAD HANEEFA:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

(a) whether all villages in the Union Territory of Ladakh have access to 24x7 electricity during winter months when solar output drops significantly;

(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the timeline by which uninterrupted electricity supply in remote villages of Ladakh would be ensured and the steps being taken by the Government in this regard;

(c) the details of development made regarding the 220 kilo-volt Srinagar-Leh electricity line project to connect the border areas of Ladakh with the National Electricity Grid and its timeline for completion;

(d) whether any partnership with public sector or private energy companies is being explored for next-generation energy storage in Ladakh and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) whether carbon-neutral energy audits have been conducted for Government buildings and defence establishments in the region and if so, the details thereof?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

(a) & (b) :   As per Rule (10) of the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020, the distribution licensee shall supply 24x7 power to all consumers. However, the  Commission  may  specify  lower  hours  of  supply  for  some  categories  of consumers. The Rules are applicable for all States and UTs.

Government of India has supported the UT of Ladakh under the scheme of Deen  Dayal  Upadhyay  Gram  Jyoti  Yojana  (DDUGJY)  and  Integrated  Power Development  Scheme  (IPDS)  and  is  currently  supporting  under  Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), to help it achieve the objective of providing quality and reliable supply of power to all households.

……….2.

As reported by the UT of Ladakh, Nubra, Zanskar and Changthang regions are presently electrified through off-grid mode by small Hydro Electric projects, solar PV Plants, Diesel generators. In order to provide grid connectivity to these areas, 220 kV Nubra & Zanskar transmission line and 66 kV line from Himya to Nyoma and from Kharu to Durbuk is under construction. Under RDSS, works amounting  to  Rs.  687  Cr  have  been  sanctioned  which  include  infrastructure works worth Rs 567 Cr for providing grid connectivity to Changthang Region. The works once executed would help in improving the quality and reliability of supply of power in the UT.

(c) : As per information received from the UT, 335 KM, 220 kV Srinagar- Leh Transmission line is already completed and commissioned in 2019. In order to further connect border areas with the national grid, following works are under progress:

- i. 220 kV Phyang-Disket (Nubra) transmission line: Out of 265 total towers, 90 towers have been erected and 224 tower foundations are ready. 17.67 KM stringing completed.
- ii. 220 kV Drass-Padum (Zanskar) transmission Line: Out of 675 total towers, 339 towers have been erected and 577 tower foundations are ready. 27.77 KM stringing completed.

Above projects are expected to be completed by October 2026.

- (d) : UT  of  Ladakh  has  reported  following  projects  for  development  of Renewable Energy/ Storage Projects in the UT:
-  Development  of  25  MW  AC,  50  MWp  Solar  Power  Plant  with  40  MWh Battery  Energy  Storage  System  (BESS)  at  Taru  with  Solar  Energy Corporation  of  India  (SECI).  The  work  has  been  awarded  and  is  under progress.
-  7 MW Solar Project with 9 MWh BESS at Stakna Hydel Project site has been identified and bid is under process on RESCO model.
-  1.5 MW (AC), 4.5 MW DC Solar Power project with 12 MWh BESS site in Nubra and 6 MW AC, with 12 MWh BESS Solar Power project in Zanskar on RESCO Model.
- (e)  :   Carbon-Neutral Energy Audits have not been conducted for Government Buildings and Defence establishments in the UT of Ladakh.

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