PM Modi lays foundation of projects worth over Rs 28,000 Cr in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi

Mandi (HP), Dec 27: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday attended the groundbreaking ceremony for 287 investment projects worth over Rs 28,197 crores in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi to mark the fourth anniversary of the Jai Ram Thakur-led BJP government in the state.

The prime minister is also expected to address a rally at the Paddal ground in Mandi, the home district of Chief Minister Thakur. Earlier, Modi, accompanied by Union minister Anurag Thakur, visited an exhibition put up by various departments of the state government.

A Global Investors' Meet was held in Dharamsala on November 7-8, 2019. The first groundbreaking ceremony of projects worth over Rs 13,656 crores to turn these proposals into reality was held in Shimla on December 27 the same year in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Noting that Modi has constantly focussed on fully utilising the untapped potential of the resources available in the country, it said a step in this regard has been to utilise optimally the hydropower potential in the Himalayan region. "The projects which will be inaugurated and whose foundation stone will be laid by the Prime Minister during the visit reflect a key step in this direction," a statement from the PMO added.

Modi will lay the foundation stone of the Renukaji dam project, which had been lying pending for around three decades. The project was made possible with Modi's thrust on cooperative federalism when the states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Delhi were brought together by the Centre for making the project possible.

The 40 MW project will be built at a cost of around Rs 7,000 crore. It will prove to be immensely beneficial for Delhi, which will be able to receive around 500 million cubic metre water supply per year, the PMO said. Modi will also lay the foundation stone of the Luhri stage 1 hydro power project. The 210 MW project will be built at a cost of over Rs 1,800 crore. It will lead to generation of over 750 million units of electricity per year.

The modern and dependable grid support will prove beneficial to surrounding states of the region as well. Another project for which he will lay the foundation stone is Dhaulasidh hydro power project. This will be the first hydropower project of Hamirpur district. The 66 MW project will be built at a cost of over Rs 680 crore. It will lead to generation of over 300 million units of electricity per year, the PMO said.

Modi will inaugurate the Sawra-Kuddu hydro power project. The 111 MW project has been built at a cost of around Rs 2,080 crore. It will lead to generation of over 380 million units of electricity per year, and help the state earn revenue worth over Rs 120 crore annually. The Himachal Pradesh Global Investors' meet is expected to give a boost to investment in the region through the start of projects worth around Rs 28,000 crore, it added. PTI