Three months after it was inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi, the 240 MW URI II Hydro Electric Project in North Kashmir’s Uri, was damaged in a major fire that broke out on Thursday morning.
No casualty was reported during the incident and the cause of the fire remains unknown.
“At 6 am fire broke out at the URI II power project,” Deputy Commissioner (Baramulla) Farooq Ahmad Lone told The Indian Express. “The Chief Engineer has reported that there are no casualties in the incident so far.”
Lone said the fire is under control, but smoke was still rising in some places. “We are monitoring the situation. 15 fire tenders are at the spot,” he said. “After the fire is completely doused, we will be able to ascertain the extent of damage caused to the project.”
The power project, inaugurated by Modi in July, is situated close to the LoC in Baramulla District. It has ability to generate an estimated 1,124 million units of Hydel-energy annually from its four 60 MW units.
An army spokesperson said that Army was also called in for help.