A long-pending 10 megawatt power project near the Pandoh Dam in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi district has finally moved a step closer to reality. The state government has issued a conditional no-objection certificate to the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) for the project, permitting construction work to begin on the condition that BBMB hands back surplus land to the state. The two sides are now locked in talks to settle that condition before work can proceed further.
The Land Dispute Holding Things Up
BBMB maintains it has no surplus land left to return, since whatever extra land it once held has already been transferred back to the state government. Chandramani Sharma, Additional Superintending Engineer of BBMB Pandoh, confirmed that the NOC came attached to this very condition of returning surplus land. He said senior BBMB officials are now in direct discussions with the state government to resolve the issue so construction is not delayed further. Sharma also pointed out that once operational, the project will entitle the state to a share of free electricity, an added incentive for Himachal Pradesh.
An Old Tunnel Gets a New Purpose
The idea behind the project traces back nearly 50 years, to when the Pandoh Dam itself was being built. At the time, engineers constructed a 30-diameter tunnel to divert water from the Beas river during construction. BBMB officials realised that the 15 percent of water currently released directly from the dam back into the Beas river could instead be routed through this old tunnel, generating electricity in the process rather than going to waste.
Two 5 MW Units Planned at Pandoh
Based on this idea, BBMB has proposed two separate power units of 5 megawatts each at Pandoh, together adding up to the 10 megawatt project. According to Sharma, a Preliminary Feasibility Report (PFR) estimating the cost at Rs 80 crore has already been prepared, while the final Detailed Project Report (DPR), which will confirm the actual cost, is still being worked on. Once the DPR is ready, the exact cost and timeline for the project will become clear.
