Himachal Pradesh to Gain 100 Crore Units of Electricity Annually from Kishau Project: CM Sukhu
New Delhi, June 16: The Himachal Pradesh government has announced a significant breakthrough regarding the long-pending Kishau multipurpose dam project. Chief Minister Sukhu stated that a high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi has resolved an eight-year financial dispute related to the project, paving the way for the construction of the 422-megawatt Kishau dam.
The Chief Minister noted that the project, estimated to cost around ₹15,000 crores, is proposed on the Tons River at the border of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. For years, the financial framework and cost-sharing agreement between the states had stalled progress on the project.
During the meeting in New Delhi, Sukhu firmly advocated for Himachal Pradesh’s interests, demanding that the state not bear any additional financial burden. The central government has tentatively agreed that states benefiting from the project’s water component—Delhi, Rajasthan, and Haryana—will cover approximately ₹2,000 crores of the estimated cost related to the electricity component for Himachal Pradesh.
This agreement is expected to significantly reduce the financial burden on the state. Sukhu explained that the previous government had agreed to contribute ₹800 crores as the state’s share, but the current administration rejected this offer, considering the state’s limited resources.
He emphasized that since the central government is providing a 90% grant for the water component, similar support should also be extended for the electricity component. The state government successfully raised this issue and achieved a favorable outcome.
Sukhu pointed out that the project will cause the most displacement and geographical impact on Himachal Pradesh, making it inappropriate to impose additional economic burdens on the state. He asserted that given Himachal Pradesh’s contribution to nation-building, the state deserves fair compensation.
Upon completion of the project, Himachal Pradesh is expected to receive 100 crore units of electricity annually, valued at approximately ₹600 crores per year, which will significantly boost the state’s revenue.
The Chief Minister reiterated that his government has always prioritized the interests of the state and its residents. He described this decision as a major victory for Himachal’s rights in electricity projects, pending financial claims, and the fight for state interests.
