HP to have single window for hydro-electric projects' clearance

Kullu, Nov 23 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh Government is considering to constitute a Single Window System for allotment of small hydro-electric projects and cancellation of those projects which had failed to take-off within the stipulated period.

This was revealed by Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal while addressing a public meeting at Tosh in this district today after he dedicated the five MW Tosh Mini Hydro Electric Project to the people.

The Chief Minister said the state government was also consider the formation of a separate transmission corporation to evacuate the generated power out of the state, so that the same could generate income to the state besides making power available to the public.

Mr Dhumal said that 80 small hydro electric projects capable to generate 190 MW of power had so far been allotted to the IPPs in Kullu district. An MOU had also been signed for execution of 76 projects to generate 186 MW of power to add to the power grid for onward transmission and generation.

He said the state government had targeted the generation of 1000 MW of Hydro Electric Power in the small hydro power sectors during 11th five-year plan and appealed to the IPPs to cooperate with the state government to achieve the target.

About the projects, which have so far remained unexecuted by the allottees and have crossed the time limit, the Chief Minister said that the state government would be reviewing all such projects and after taking all related aspects into consideration seek legal opinion to terminate the agreement and reallot the same to the serious entrepreneurs.

The state government would also be looking into the reasons for delay in initiation of projects and the MPP and Power Department had already twice interacted to identify bottlenecks being faced by IPPs in obtaining clearances from various departments, the Chief Minister said.

UNI XC PS JT KN1838