Lawmakers in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh have instructed project authorities to accelerate work on several major hydropower developments after reviewing ongoing delays. The General Development Committee of the state’s Legislative Assembly met last week under the chairmanship of Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania.
The committee examined progress on the Shongtong–Karcham and Kashang (Phase II & III) hydropower projects in Kinnaur district, as well as the Chanju (Phase II & III) project in Chamba district. Pathania said the delays were leading to financial losses for Himachal Pradesh state and directed officials to ensure the projects adhere to their planned timelines. The committee also announced plans to conduct site inspections.
Members further reviewed the Electricity Development Department’s funding requests for the 2023–24 financial year.
The meeting was attended by MLAs Rakesh Kalia, Vinod Kumar, Randhir Sharma, Jeet Ram Katwal, Daleep Thakur, Sudarshan Singh Bablu and Hardeep Singh Baba, along with senior power-sector officials including Secretary (Power) Rakesh Kanwar and directors from the civil, finance and electrical divisions.
