Shanan Hydel Power project

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Shanan Hydel Power project

News: The Centre on Friday (March 1) ordered that status quo be maintained on the Shanan hydropower project, over which Punjab and Himachal Pradesh have made competing claims.

What is the issue?
• The project was commissioned in 1932, making it one of the oldest hydroelectric projects in India. It harnesses the power of the Uhl River, a tributary of the Beas River, and generates 110 MW of electricity.
• The project was built by the British in 1925.
• The project was leased to Punjab in 1925. The lease agreement was signed between the then ruler of Mandi, Raja Joginder Bahadur, and Col BC Batty, a British representative and Chief Engineer of Punjab.
• The 99-year-old lease came to an end on March 2, 2024.
• Currently, there is a dispute between Himachal Pradesh and Punjab over the ownership and control of the project after the lease’s expiry.

Significance of project:
• Irrigation and Drinking Water: The project is also a source of irrigation and drinking water for the surrounding areas.
• Symbol of Resilience and Ingenuity: The Shanan Power House stands as a historical marvel, reflecting the ambitions of its visionary creators. It symbolizes the resilience and ingenuity that marked its construction almost a century ago.