In a new initiative, residents here have demanded that Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) should set up a small dam downstream on the Beas to revive “local ecology and ancient bathing ghats which had been destroyed by the silt ejected by the 990-MW Beas project since June 1977 when the project was commissioned”.

Dharamsala: After getting a share of 7.19 per cent in power generated by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) on account of areas of Punjab merged with Himachal, the state will now also claim its share in water. Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said this while talking to The Tribune here today.

He said Himachal had been claiming its share of 7.19 per cent in all assets of the BBMB though the court had at present just awarded it a share in power.

There is an enormous potential for exploiting hydroelectric power in Himachal Pradesh, but implementation needs political and administrative support
NATURE has compensated hill states with vast hydropower potential in lieu of the sound agricultural system that is available in the plains. If Arabs have oil, Himalayan states in India have the hydropower wealth. Now, it entirely depends upon the ingenuity of the state concerned how expeditiously it mines/milks its treasure trove.

Season’s Toll: 30 Dead, 233cr Property Damaged, Major Roads Hit
Shimla: Rivers in spate, mega hydropower plants shut down at short notice, dams filled to the brim, cloudbursts and road networks having suffered heavy damages, a vigorous monsoon in August this year has left a trail of destruction in Himachal Pradesh that has so far cost 30 human lives with another four missing.

Himachal House panel reccomends action against the companies for failing to ensure minimum prescribed flow of water
The Himachal Pradesh Assembly’s standing committee on Irrigation and Public Health (IPH) has found hydro-power companies — both in the public and private sectors — defying mandatory provisions of the power policy regarding the maintenance of a minimum water discharge of 15 per cent in the rivers.

Dharamsala: The state government would consider action against mining officials of Kangra district for failing to check illegal mining in the Beas and the Chaki rivers. Chief Minister PK Dhumal said this while talking to mediapersons here today.

He said preliminary reports had indicated that the Beas changed its course due to illegal mining by stone crusher owners that lead to losses to farmers in the Mand areas of Kangra district.

This year, the Pong dam has seen the highest ever inflow of water in the month of August, recorded in the last 30 years. Besides, the water level has also risen to 12 feet in just two days — it had happened for the first time in the history of the dam. The inflow was the result of heavy rainfall in the catchment area of the reservoir, said authorities.

Six years of investigations into irregularities in connection with the Larji hydel project have ended with a whimper. The 126 MW Larji hydel project — taunted as the country’s costliest hydro-power project — will not see any head rolling for its cost shooting up to Rs 1461.33 crore, instead of the proposed Rs 796.98 crore in 1998.