Cabinet sets deadline for Kinnaur power project completion

25 Oct 2024 CW Team

The Cabinet accepted the recommendations made by a sub-committee, led by Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, regarding the 450 MW Shongtong-Karchham Hydroelectric Power Project in Kinnaur, setting 2026-27 as the target for its completion.

The project’s delay had caused significant revenue losses for the state government. In response to the Cabinet sub-committee's suggestions, directives were issued to the executing company to ensure the project's completion by the 2026-27 deadline.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had reportedly expressed dissatisfaction over the project's delay, as the tender had initially been awarded in 2012. This delay had also caused a substantial increase in project costs, leading to further financial losses for the government. The sub-committee, chaired by Negi, was specifically formed to investigate the factors contributing to the project's delay.

Additionally, the Cabinet approved the creation of another sub-committee, also headed by the Revenue Minister, to review the management of parking facilities in Shimla city, which operate under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. The committee was tasked with examining the non-payment of dues by contractors managing major parking facilities at Tutikandi, Lift, Chotta Shimla, Sanjauli, and the new bus stand in the state capital. Due to these overdue payments to the Shimla Municipal Corporation, the government might consider terminating existing agreements and re-auctioning the parking facilities.

The sub-committee includes Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh, and Town and Country Planning Minister Rajesh Dharmani. Additionally, Harish Janartha, MLA for Shimla (Urban), was invited as a special invitee to the committee.

Equipment

12 Dec 2025

Schwing Stetter India Unveils New Innovations at Excon 2025

Schwing Stetter India unveiled more than 20 new machines at Excon 2025, marking one of its most significant showcases and introducing several India-first technologies to the construction equipment sector. The company launched the country’s first 56-metre boom pump designed and manufactured in India, the first fully electric truck mixer, the first CNG mixer variant and the first hybrid boom pump. Executives said the launch portfolio was engineered to support India’s move toward faster, greener and more vertically oriented infrastructure through advanced engineering, clean-energy solutions a..

SEPC Resolves Hindustan Copper Dispute, Wins Rs 725 Mn Order

Engineering, procurement and construction firm SEPC Ltd has recently settled a dispute with Hindustan Copper Ltd (HCL) and secured a mining infrastructure order valued at Rs 725 million from the state-owned company. SEPC informed the stock exchanges that it has executed a settlement deed with HCL, bringing closure to all inter-se claims and counterclaims arising from arbitration proceedings. As part of the settlement, SEPC will receive Rs 304.5 million as full and final payment, marking the resolution of all pending disputes between the two entities. The company also stated that Hindustan Co..

20% Ethanol Blending Cuts India’s CO2 Emissions by 73.6 Mn Tonnes

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari recently said that India has reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 73.6 million metric tonnes due to the adoption of 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol. He made the statement while replying to supplementary questions during the Question Hour in the Lok Sabha. Describing ethanol as a green fuel, the minister said it plays a key role in reducing pollution while also supporting higher incomes for farmers. He underlined that ethanol blending contributes both to environmental sustainability and rural economic growth. Nitin Gadkari also po..