Himachal: Government departments owe ₹170 crore as unpaid electricity bills

January 31, 2026

The outstanding electricity bill payments from government departments in Kangra and Chamba districts, under the Kangra zone of the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board, have reached approximately Rs 170 crore. The highest amount is owed by the Jal Shakti Department (Water Resources Department), which alone has Rs 126 crore in pending payments.

According to information from the Electricity Board, the total outstanding electricity bill payments from government departments were Rs 164 crore as of December 2025, which has now increased to approximately Rs 170 crore. The remaining Rs 37.9 crore is owed by other government departments. However, the board states that departments usually clear their outstanding bills within one to two months.

Assurance of Payment by March
The Jal Shakti Department has assured that the pending payments will be cleared by March 31, 2026. In the case of domestic consumers, Temporary Disconnection Orders (TDCOs) are issued for non-payment of electricity bills on time, which then compels consumers to make the payment.

Snowfall-Affected Transformers Restored
The recent snowfall in the Tisa and Bharmour subdivisions of Chamba district caused significant damage to the Kangra zone of the Electricity Board. Approximately 750 transformers were affected, but they have now been fully restored thanks to the hard work of the electricity personnel.

Work Continues on Rs 400 Crore Infrastructure Project
Two major infrastructure projects are underway to strengthen the power infrastructure under the Kangra zone. Under the RDSS scheme, old power lines are being replaced with new and modern lines. A total of Rs 400 crore is being spent on this project in Kangra, Chamba, and Una districts.

Under this scheme, 13 new 33 kV substations are being constructed, with 7 proposed in Kangra, 2 in Chamba, and 4 in Una district. Although the pace of work is currently slow, the Electricity Board claims that the project will be completed by 2027.