The Cabinet has approved the recommendations of a sub-committee led by Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi concerning the450 MW Shongtong-Karchham Hydroelectric Power Project in Kinnaur, establishing2026-27 as the target completion date.
The project’s delays have led to revenue losses for the state government. Following the sub-committee’s recommendations, instructions have been given to the executing company to ensure the project is finished by the set deadline.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has expressed dissatisfaction with the project’s delays, noting that the tender was awarded in2012. These delays have also caused significant increases in project costs, resulting in financial setbacks for the government. The committee, chaired by Negi, was formed to address the various issues hindering the project’s progress.
Additionally, the Cabinet approved the establishment of another sub-committee, also headed by the Revenue Minister, to assess the operation of parking facilities in Shimla city that are managed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. This committee will investigate the non-payment of dues owed to the government by contractors operating major parking lots at Tutikandi, Lift, Chotta Shimla, Sanjauli, and the new bus stand in the capital. Due to the contractors’ failure to pay their dues to the Shimla Municipal Corporation, the government may terminate their contracts and put the facilities up for auction again.
Members of this sub-committee include Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh, and Town and Country Planning Minister Rajesh Dharmani, with Shimla (Urban) MLA Harish Janartha acting as a special invitee.
The government is incurring revenue losses because the contractors managing the parking facilities claim they are unable to make payments to the Shimla Municipal Corporation due to their own financial losses.