Pact inked to build 542 MW Dugar Baggi hydel projects

Shimla: Agreements for the construction of 500 MW Dugar Hydroelectric Project and 42 MW Baggi Hydro Electric Project were signed here, an official said today.

Director Energy Harikesh Meena signed the agreement on behalf of the state government whereas; NHPC General Manager (Power) Suresh Kumar and Secretary of BBMB Satish Kumar Singla were the signatory on behalf of their respective enterprises. Dugar project would be constructed by NHPC in Killar of Chamba district and the Baggi project by the BBMB in Baggi of Mandi district.

The estimated cost of Dugar Hydro Electric Project is Rs.3987.34 crore. He said that about Rs. 59.81 crore would be contributed by the project developer under the Local Area Development Fund in the project affected area.

The construction of the project would be completed in 71 months after the commencement of the work. The allotment of this hydroelectric power project was made to NHPC on 7th August, 2018 and the MoU was signed on 26th September, 2019. The Government of India gave technical approval to the detailed report of the project on 26th April, 2022. 

The estimated cost of the Baggi Hydroelectric Project is Rs 284.87 crore. He said that 135.6 million Units of electricity would be generated annually from this project.

Rs. 4.21 crore would be contributed by the project developer under the Local Area Development Fund in the project affected area and the construction of this project would be completed in 30 months after the commencement of the work. Baggi Hydroelectric Project was allotted to BBMB on 10th July, 2019 and the MoU was signed on 8th November, 2019. 

A provision has been made to provide 12 per cent free electricity to the government from the Baggi Hydroelectric Project and 4 per cent to 25 per cent from the Duggar Hydro Electric Project for 70 years. 100 units of electricity per month would be provided to the affected families free of cost for 10 years.

The construction of these projects would provide direct employment to about 4300 people. He said that after the commissioning of these projects, the revenue from the sale of per cent additional electricity would be provided to the eligible families of the project affected area in cash till the life of the project.