Time for Punjab to Hand Over Shanan Power Project to Himachal: CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu

Time for Punjab to Hand Over Shanan Power Project to Himachal: CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu

In a significant development for the power sector in Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu visited the historic 110 MW Shanan Power House located in Jogindernagar, District Mandi, today. The visit served not only as an inspection of the facility but also as a platform for the Chief Minister to assert the rightful claim of the Himachal Pradesh government over the Shanan Power Project, which has been operational for over a century under Punjab’s management.

During his visit, CM Sukhu conducted a thorough inspection of the power house and engaged with officials to gain insights into its current operations and maintenance. After evaluating the infrastructure, he addressed the media, emphasizing the necessity for Punjab to transfer the power project to Himachal Pradesh, particularly following the expiration of the lease period.

Sukhu asserted, “The time has come for the Shanan Power Project to be handed over to the Government of Himachal Pradesh. After a century of operation by Punjab, it is rightfully ours.” He clarified that the project does not fall under the Punjab Reorganization Act, thus reinforcing Himachal’s legal position on the matter. The Chief Minister noted that Punjab has filed an appeal in the Supreme Court regarding this issue, but he reiterated the commitment of his administration to respect the Court’s eventual decision.

Highlighting the historical significance of the Shanan project, which was established over 100 years ago, Sukhu expressed that the objective of his visit was to assess the facility’s current condition and operational status. He pointed out that despite being managed by the Punjab government at present, discussions are actively underway to facilitate the transfer of control to the Himachal Pradesh government.

The Chief Minister’s remarks come amidst ongoing discussions regarding regional power resources and the need for fair distribution and management of hydropower projects in the region. His visit was attended by several key officials, including Superintending Engineer of the Shanan Project Rajesh Kumar, Executive Engineer Satish Kumar, and the Managing Director of Uhal Project Stage-3 Devender Singh. Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan, Superintendent of Police Sakshi Verma, Congress State Secretary Jeevan Thakur, and Congress District President Pawan Thakur were also present to support the initiative.

This visit underscores the commitment of the Himachal Pradesh government to reclaim and enhance its energy resources, aiming to better serve the needs of its residents and ensure sustainable development within the state.

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