SHIMLA, JUNE 16: The long-stalled 422 MW Kishau Hydroelectric Project on the Tons River received a major boost on Tuesday after the Centre agreed in principle to resolve an eight-year-old dispute over cost sharing, clearing the way for the ₹15,000-crore project.
At a high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu secured support for beneficiary states Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan to bear Himachal Pradesh's estimated ₹2,000-crore share of the power component cost.
Sukhu said the decision would spare the state a major financial burden while ensuring its interests are protected. He noted that Himachal, which will face the maximum displacement and environmental impact from the project, should not be asked to shoulder additional costs.
The Chief Minister said the project would provide Himachal Pradesh with about 100 crore units of electricity annually after commissioning, generating revenue worth nearly ₹600 crore every year.
Calling it a major win for the state, Sukhu said the breakthrough has finally paved the way for the construction of the long-pending hydro project.
