Pb should hand over Shanan hydro project to HP: Sukhu

Kullu: During his visit to the Shanan hydropower project in Jogindernagar, Mandi, on Friday, chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said it is time for the Punjab govt to transfer the project to Himachal Pradesh.Sukhu said following the conclusion of the 99-year-long lease agreement, the govt of Himachal Pradesh rightfully deserves to take over the project. The CM said the Shanan hydropower project does not fall under the Punjab Reorganisation Act, and that the Punjab govt has filed an appeal in the Supreme Court, staking its claim over the project. He, however, assured that the decision of the Supreme Court on the matter would be respected by one and all.Highlighting the fact that the foundation of the Shanan project was laid more than a century ago, the CM said the objective of his visit was to assess the current condition of the power project.He said although the project was operated by the Punjab govt, discussions were under way to transfer control to the Himachal Pradesh govt.Located in the Barot valley near Jogindernagar in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, the 110-MW British-era Shanan hydropower project, is at present, under the control of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL).The 99-year-long lease agreement of the project, which was set up on March 3, 1925 at a cost of Rs 2.53 crore, formalised between the then secretary of state for India in Council and Raja of Mandi Joginder Sen Bahadur expired on March 2, 2024, triggering a face-off between Punjab and Himachal over its ownership.Both Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann have asserted ownership right over the project in recent months and have also written to the Union govt in this regard.Phase III of Uhl project to start by Jan 2025: CMChief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu also inspected the third phase of Uhl Project in Mandi district on Friday. He said the power generation operations would start by the end of Dec, 2024 or Jan, 2025. He said the lack of funds would not act as a hindrance in the completion of this project. He announced an additional amount of Rs 85 crore as ‘sovereign guarantee’ for the project, stating that Rs 100 crore had been provided in March this year for the project.The CM said the project has been ongoing for past several years, leading to an increase in its cost. As a result, he said, the state govt has now expedited the project’s progress.
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