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.

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