Himachal Pradesh CM Directs Official Takeover Of Three Major Hydroelectric Projects

Shimla :  In a major policy decision aimed at reclaiming the state's natural resources, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has directed senior administrative officials to immediately initiate the process for taking over three premier hydroelectric projects from the Central Public Sector Undertaking, Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVNL).

 The directive covers the 382 MW Sunni project, the 210 MW Luhri Stage-I project, and the 66 MW Dhaulasidh project. While chairing a high-level review meeting of the state power department, Chief Minister Sukhu emphasized that clean energy generation forms the bedrock of Himachal Pradesh's economy.

He firmly reiterated that the financial and developmental rewards of these vast river resources must directly reach the local population rather than external entities.  "The state government remains deeply committed to protecting the long-term sovereign interests of the people of Himachal Pradesh across all corporate and administrative platforms," Sukhu stated.

He added that official intervention is necessary to secure the state's rightful share of revenue and ensure optimal utilization of public assets.  Beyond the SJVNL projects, the Chief Minister instructed officials to aggressively renegotiate the structural agreements of the 500 MW Duggar project with NHPC, following corporate proposals to increase the dam's physical height.

Sukhu insisted that any expansion in project parameters must yield proportionally higher economic returns for the state.  Additionally, the Chief Minister highlighted the successful resolution of an eight-year deadlock surrounding the 422 MW Kishau dam project.

Under this newly revised framework, Himachal Pradesh will gain 211 MW of free power without requiring any upfront capital investments, a victory projected to inject nearly ₹600 crore annually into the state exchequer.