CM inaugurates 126 MW Larji hydro power project

Mandi, Sep 23 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today dedicated the 126 MW Larji hydro-electric power project at Dwada near Thalout in Mandi district of the state.

Addressing a public meeting at Thalout in the district, he said the project would yield an annual revenue of Rs 180 crore and recover its construction cost in about eight years.

Mr Singh said his government had ensured sufficient funds for the completion of the project.

The Chief Minister announced HPSEB Division at Nagwain, Primary Health Centre at Thalout, Health Sub-Centre, Gram Panchayat, Deori.

He also announced upgradation of various schools and Rs 15 lakh for Odi road. He also announced upgradation of schools for Chachiot area and bridge at Dwara reconstruction of Larji road.

The state government has made it mandatory to bidding IPPs to deposit the upfront premium per MW with it before taking up the execution work of the allotted project, he said.

He said Himachal Government earned a record upfront premium of Rs.

91 lakh per MW and Rs. 258 crore in the first installment of the upfront premium from five IPPs recently.

Besides, the state would get 12 per cent free power for first 12 years, 18 per cent for next 18 years and 30 per cent thereafter till 40 years when the allotted project would revert back to the state, he said.

The Chief Minister said that 15 per cent water discharge downstream the diversion and 1.5 per cent of the project had also been made mandatory to be placed at the disposal of local administration for carrying out development of the area.

The project authorities have also been directed to ensure minimum discharge of 15 per cent water even in the lean seasons, failing which strict action would be initiated against them, he said.

Out of a total of hydel potential of 21,000 MW, 6,370 MW had been harnessed while several projects of 5,700 MW capacity were targeted for completion in coming seven to eight years, he said, adding that remaining projects were being allotted for execution by floating global tenders soon.

He said projects of about 1,200 MW were allotted recently.

Speaking on the occasion, state Power Minister Vidya Stokes, said the HP State Electricity Board (HPSEB) was generating 476 MW hydro power in the state as of now.

The Board had professional and experienced engineers who were instrumental in preparation its DPRs and was the only one earning revenue in the country, she said.

UNI