The Punjab Government has at last woken up after succumbing to media pressure, first launched by The Pioneer and joined by other national newspapers alleging mala-fide neglect of the world famous Shanan Hydro-electric Project by stopping all its repairs with the view to turning it into shambles before handing it over to Himachal Pradesh on the expiry of 99-year lease in 1925.
Superintending Engineer of the HPSEB Jogindernagar, JS Pathania confirmed on Sunday that the PSEB and Punjab Government has provided adequate funds for the repairs and maintenance of the project. A sum of `30 lakh has been immediately sanctioned to overhaul the 4-stage haulage way rail line from Jogindernagar to Zero Point on the bank of Uhl river at Barot by replacing rusted iron ropes and new wooden sleepers of water resistant deodar wood. He said budget had also been provided to plug the seepage in the 2-mile long tunnel to prevent the sinking of the 8000-ft high mountain overhead. The work of tarring the Shanan road at Jogindernagar would be awarded to HPPWD. Some more proposals have been sent to Patiala PSEB headquarter and were likely to be sanctioned soon.
Pathania said the work of repairs, renovation and painting of the old and dilapidated buildings would also been taken up and tenders had been floated.
It is expected that the trolley service to Winch Camp would be started shortly the work in the remaining two stages would also be completed in two months or so.
The Punjab Government swung into action after the Union Minister for energy had reportedly taken a serious note about the callous neglect of the project when the top leaders of BJP from Himachal had met him and the Prime Minister and submitted Press clippings of the national dailies to them.