Mandi, April 19: As the 99-year lease of the Shanan Power Project officially comes to an end in 2024, Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur has called upon the Himachal Pradesh government to take immediate steps to reclaim ownership of the project from neighboring Punjab.
Thakur emphasized that since Punjab is part of the INDIA alliance, which Himachal’s current government also supports, there should be no political hurdles in transferring the project back. Speaking from Mandi, he stated that Punjab now holds no legal right over the power project, and its return would significantly boost Himachal’s revenue and energy independence.
“No Ifs or Buts – Shanan Belongs to Himachal”
The Shanan Power Project, located in Joginder Nagar, Mandi, was established during British rule and handed over to Punjab during the reorganization of states. It was leased to Punjab for 99 years, a term that officially concluded in 2024.
“The time has come. When the BJP was in power, we were already working on this. Now that the lease has expired, there’s no reason to delay. The current government must act with urgency,” said Thakur.
Political Consensus Emerges Across Party Lines
Interestingly, the demand for the return of the Shanan Project has gained bipartisan support. Recently, Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri, in a public address in Mandi, stated emphatically that “under no circumstances” will the project remain with Punjab, reinforcing the state’s determination to reclaim its asset.
“The project is built on Himachal’s land, and it is Himachal’s rightful property. It must return home,” Agnihotri asserted, echoing Thakur’s sentiments.
What’s Next for the Shanan Power Project?
The ball is now in the court of the Himachal Pradesh government, which is expected to initiate formal steps to take back the project. Legal, administrative, and inter-state discussions are likely to begin soon, with public sentiment firmly in favor of the reclamation.
This move is expected to not only enhance Himachal’s energy portfolio but also serve as a symbolic victory of state rights over colonial-era agreements that no longer serve their purpose.
As political voices converge, all eyes are now on the state government’s strategy to negotiate the handover and chart a new chapter for the iconic power project that has long been a point of contention—and pride—for Himachal Pradesh.
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