World Bank promises Rs 7,000 cr for Himachal hydel projects

The World Bank has agreed in-principle to fund Rs 7,000 crore to build eight proposed hydel power projects in Himachal Pradesh, say top government sources.

This was agreed after a meeting on Monday between Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and World Bank officials in Washington.

The state power secretary, JP Negi, who among other aides is accompanying the chief minister has confirmed the outcome of the meeting.

Khaab project (636 Mw), Sawra Kudu project (111 Mw), Dhamwari-Sunda project (70 Mw), Harsar project (60 Mw), Renuka project (40 Mw), Chirgaon-Manjgaon project (46 Mw), Bharmaur project (45 Mw), and Dhaula Sidh project (40 Mw) will be funded by the World Bank.

Some of these projects will be built by the state-run Himachal Power Corporation and others jointly with the help of the private sector.

Himachal Pradesh has the country's one-fourth hydel power potential at over 20,000 Mw, but less than a quarter of this has been tapped so far due to shortage of funds.

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh had left for the United States on a six-day tour last week to meet the World Bank officials.

He will also meet top company chiefs to convince them to invest in the hill state.