Himachal Govt moves to take over Dhaulasidh project

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today directed the Power Department to file an affidavit in court for taking over the 66-MW Dhaulasidh Hydro Power Project being constructed by SJVN on the Beas.

Presiding over a meeting of the Power Department, Sukhu said the state government was ready to pay the first instalment towards the project cost to facilitate its takeover in the interest of Himachal Pradesh. He said the government would not compromise on the interests of the people and was committed to protecting the state’s resources and wealth.

The Chief Minister said earnest efforts were also being made to take over the Luhri and Sunni hydro power projects from SJVN.

Reviewing various under-construction power projects, Sukhu directed officials to expedite their execution in a time-bound manner so that the people could derive maximum benefit from the state’s hydro potential.

Officials informed the Chief Minister that the 450-MW Shong Tong Power Project would become fully operational by September next year after commissioning of its remaining three turbines. A power purchase agreement would also be signed with the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited for the electricity generated by the project.