Kinnaur, June 10: Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today visited the Shongtong-Karcham hydroelectric project in Kinnaur and directed officials to ensure the completion of the 450 MW capacity project by November 2026. Upon its commissioning, the Chief Minister stated that the state anticipates earning an annual revenue of approximately Rs 1,000 crore.
The project, which has been under construction for the past 13 years, is now seeing accelerated progress. “The present government has accelerated the construction work and it would be dedicated to the nation in the stipulated time period,” Sukhu said, highlighting the renewed focus. He further emphasized the state government’s commitment to harnessing its river water resources to bolster the state’s economy.
Sukhu also indicated that the state government is actively pursuing the takeover of the Dhaulasidh, Luhri, and Sunni hydropower projects, with evaluations underway to determine the total expenditure incurred on these projects. “Henceforth, the state government would take forward the construction work of hydropower projects on its own terms so that the interests of the state could be protected, which were completely sidelined by the previous BJP government,” he stated, asserting a new approach to project development.
Beyond hydropower, the Chief Minister revealed plans for a geo-thermal power project at Tapri in Kinnaur district and advancements in solar and green hydrogen energy production. He addressed the paradox of Himachal Pradesh, an energy-surplus state, purchasing electricity during winter months. “Despite being a surplus energy state, we purchase electricity in winters from October to March at the rate of Rs 5-6 per unit from the neighbouring states. The solar energy production is being promoted as much as possible so that the government doesn’t need to buy electricity,” Sukhu explained. He added that solar projects with a total capacity of 626 MW, being implemented by HPPCL, are currently in various stages of construction across the state.
HP Power Corporation Limited Managing Director Abid Hussain Sadiq briefed the Chief Minister on the ongoing construction progress at the Shongtong-Karcham project. Revenue, Horticulture, and Tribal Development Minister Jagat Singh Negi, along with senior district administration officials, were present during the Chief Minister’s visit.
In a separate event, Chief Minister Sukhu distributed Land Ownership Certificates to 25 beneficiaries of Kalpa block under the Forest Rights Act, 2006. He announced that “Land leases have already been allotted to 460 individuals across the state under the Forest Rights Act, 2006.”
The Chief Minister also inaugurated and laid foundation stones for various development projects totaling Rs 48 crore in the Kinnaur Assembly constituency. These initiatives include the foundation stone for an auditorium at DIET at Reckong-Peo and a Rajiv Gandhi Sports Complex at Kalpa, costing Rs 29.88 crore. He also inaugurated a youth hostel at Kalpa, constructed at a cost of Rs 10.60 crore.
Further announcements by the Chief Minister included the opening of CBSE-affiliated schools in four blocks of Kinnaur and the phased implementation of the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi scheme for women across all blocks of Kinnaur district.
Sukhu reiterated the government’s commitment to job creation, aiming for 25,000 jobs in the current financial year and a target of five lakh employment opportunities over five years. He also unveiled a new scheme to provide doorstep medical check-ups for senior citizens aged above 70 years.
Revenue, Horticulture, and Tribal Development Minister Jagat Singh Negi expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for initiating numerous developmental works in the Kinnaur constituency.
