Himachal CM Informs Assembly: ₹1,177.89 Crore Pending on Hydropower Projects

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday told the Assembly during Question Hour that over two dozen hydropower projects in Himachal Pradesh owe the state electricity board (HPSEB) a total of ₹1,177.89 crore towards surveys, investigations, and detailed project reports (DPRs).

Responding to a query raised by Shahpur MLA Kewal Pathania, Sukhu said the bulk of the outstanding amount—₹874.69 crore—is linked to the Buspa-II hydropower project. He explained that delays in recovery are largely due to a lack of consensus on interest rates.

The Chief Minister asserted that the state government would not compromise on protecting Himachal’s interests. He said top legal experts have been engaged to safeguard the state’s claims with various power producers. “Senior lawyers have been appointed to plead Himachal’s case for reclaiming the Shanan project, which is scheduled for hearing in the Supreme Court on September 17. Another case regarding pending dues from the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) will come up for hearing before the apex court on September 10,” Sukhu said.

He added that the government expects an additional income of ₹250 crore from JSW Energy, following a favorable court order that increases the state’s royalty entitlement in the form of free power. “Since the Bara Suil hydropower project has completed 40 years, the energy department has served a notice to the power producer to return the project to the state government. The matter is currently before the High Court,” he said.

Earlier, MLA Pathania had flagged the issue of several hydropower projects failing to deposit their lease deed amounts, running into hundreds of crores. He said that in his Shahpur constituency alone, 12 hydropower projects have not renewed their lease deeds and still owe ₹4.27 crore to the state.