By IANS,
Shimla : The central government has granted environment clearance to a hydropower project in Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said Friday.
“The Union Ministry of Environment and Forest has granted environment clearance for 243-MW Kashang hydroelectric project in Kinnaur district being constructed by the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation (HPPCL),” Dhumal told reporters here.
The project would generate 65 MW of power in the first stage, he said.
“The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has sanctioned Rs.297 crore for the first stage of the project,” he said.
“A detailed project report has been submitted to the ADB to sanction Rs.453 crore to execute second and third stage of the project,” he added.
HPPCL managing director Tarun Kapoor said the corporation was developing seven major projects, including Sawara-Kuddu (111 MW) in Shimla district, Shongtong-Karchham (402 MW) in Kinnaur district, Renuka Dam in Sirmaur district and Sainj (100 MW) in Kullu district.
He said the projects were likely to be executed by early 2015.
Himachal Pradesh has a power potential of about 23,000 MW. About 6,480 MW has been harnessed till now by the central and state governments, private players and joint venture companies.
In the coming fiscal, the state government proposes to add more than 600 MW with the commissioning of Allain Duhangan, Malana II, Budhil, Chamera III and some other small projects.