Rs 7,922 crore projects cleared for Himachal Pradesh

SHIMLA: Six irrigation, multipurpose and flood control schemes of Himachal Pradesh , with an estimated cost of Rs 7,922.69 crore have received investment clearance from the department of water resources, river development and Ganga rejuvenation, Union ministry of Jal Shakti. The approval was given during the 13th meeting of the investment clearance committee.

Approved projects include the Renukaji multipurpose dam project on Giri river in upper Yamuna basin of Sirmaur district. The dam will augment availability of water for Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Rajasthan. The project will generate 40 MW of power during peak flow and is being executed by the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL).

Chief minister Jai Ram Thakur said 10 schemes were cleared during the 13th meeting of the investment clearance committee on August 7. Of these, six schemes were from Himachal Pradesh, three from Maharashtra and one from Tamil Nadu.

One of the six schemes cleared is the Renukaji dam project, a national project with an estimated cost of Rs 6,946.99 crore. According to the CM, Himachal Pradesh will get 40MW free electricity under the Renukaji dam project and the state will get 3.15% of water share.

Five other proposals cleared are related to flood protection works and anti- erosion measures. Estimated cost of these projects is Rs 975.70 crore. Thakur said Dharampur constituency in Mandi district got clearance for Sakrain, Malthod, Thothu, Dol and Samour Khad projects at an estimated cost of Rs 145.73 crore. Kangra district got clearance for Naker Khad and its tributaries with an estimated cost of Rs 231.02 crore, Sirmour district for Right Bank of the River Yamuna and its tributaries at an estimated cost of Rs 250.46 crore, Mandi district for Sheer Khad from Barchhwar to Jahu with an estimated cost of Rs 157.66 crore and Shimla district for Pabbar river from Tikkari to Hatkoti in Rohru tehsil at an estimated cost of Rs 190.82 crore.