Himachal's offer of power to Delhi

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, JULY 11.

While announcing the supply of nearby 100-MW of power to Delhi from the private sector Malana Hydro Power Project in Kulu Valley, the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr. Prem Kumar Dhumal, today proposed to the Delhi Government to take up immediate construction of the Renuka Dam project meant to mitigate Delhi's drinking water problem.

Addressing a press conference here to announce the commissioning of the 86 MW project, completed in a record 30 months against the deadline of 60 months, the Chief Minister said Delhiites would get an additional 100 MW of power during the monsoon season. An agreement had been signed by the Delhi Vidyut Board with the LNJ Bhilwara Group promoted Malana Power Company for supply of power at Rs. 2.45 per unit. He said by 2005, Himachal Pradesh would be in a position to contribute more than 7,000 MW to the National Grid as a number of projects were being undertaken.

Referring to the water crisis in the Capital, Mr. Dhumal said he was still for a positive response from the Delhi Government to the offer of setting up a project on the Yamuna basin at Renuka in Himachal. This project, costing Rs. 1,100 crores, has been hanging fire due to lack of response from Delhi. When completed, he said this project could cater to the demand of drinking water for entire Delhi. ``The Delhi Chief Minister, Ms. Sheila Dikshit, had come to Shimla recently but did not meet me. She talked something about the project which was not the correct thing. If they are interested, I am ready to meet her anytime,'' he added.

In a revolutionary step aimed at involving the people at the lower level in harnessing power, Mr. Dhumal said Government had allowed participation of cooperative societies in power generation. They can now establish, operate and maintain micro projects. Similarly, he said, a number of mini and micro projects are under execution in the private and public sectors under the UNDP-GEF Hilly Hydro Programme. These are given 50 per cent of the project cost as grant-in-aid. For the projects executed by private developers and NGOs, an interest subsidy of 10 per cent is given. Work on a number of such projects had already started, he added.

Stating that the State Government was providing a 10-year tax holiday for those planning to set up projects in the entertainment sector, Mr. Dhumal said the Government wanted entrepreneurs to take up new concepts in tourism. The investors could park their money in setting up resorts or promoting places where the hydro projects are being executed. The scenic beauty and landscape of these areas, which also have water sports facilities is an ideal place for tourists, he added.

He said the State had conducted a study for exploiting the power potential to the tune of 20,115 MW of which 7,000 MW was already under implementation. The public sector undertaking like the National Thermal Power Corporation and the State Electricity Board were also taking up big projects and executing them.

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