Hoshiarpur, Dec 27: An 18-MW solar power project proposed by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) in Punjab’s Hoshiarpur district has been stalled following objections raised by the state government over land ownership and statutory clearances, officials said.
The project was planned on about 70 acres of land in Talwara township, with Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) named as the executing agency. However, the Punjab government withheld permission to fell around 4,000 trees on the site, citing provisions of the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA).
BBMB officials said the delay has put at risk an investment of about Rs 8 crore already made on transmission infrastructure for evacuating power from the proposed plant.
“Blocking the project at this stage will result in a direct financial loss, as transmission lines have already been laid,” said BBMB Chief Engineer Rakesh Gupta.
Gupta said the Deputy Commissioner of Hoshiarpur had initially granted permission, which was later withdrawn. He added that SJVN has flagged the possibility of cost escalation and even withdrawal from the project due to prolonged delays.
BBMB Chairman Manoj Tripathi is in touch with state authorities to resolve the issue, officials said.
The Punjab government maintains that surplus BBMB land should revert to the state and that BBMB does not have the mandate to undertake solar power generation projects.
