[reshapco]

I was in Manali in May 2010. Thats exactly one year ago. That time it was under construction. I missed it.

 

[Euromast]

Jaypee's 1,000-MW Karcham Wangtoo proj to come up by Aug 15

NEW DELHI: The diversified Jaypee Group's Rs 7,000 crore Karcham Wangtoo hydro power project in Himachal Pradesh is expected to be operational by August 15, much ahead of schedule.

The 1,000-MW hydro-electric project on the river Sutlej is the country's largest in the private sector.

Two of the project's units -- each having a capacity of 250 MW -- have already been commissioned. The third and fourth units are expected to be operational by July 20 and August 15, respectively.

All the units of Karcham Wangtoo project in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh are expected to be running by August 15, three months ahead of schedule, according to D P Goyal, Managing Director, Karcham Wangtoo project.

As per the original schedule, the whole plant was to be commissioned by November 17, 2011.

"Around 80 per cent of the power generated is to be sold to Punjab, Haryana, UP and Rajasthan. The remaining 20 per cent is merchant power that would be sold on a spot charges basis," Goyal note

 

[truckin]

Himachal seeks Rs.27,556 crore for 12th Plan

SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh has sought Rs.27,556 crore from the Planning Commission for the 12th Five Year Plan period, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said here on Tuesday.

"We have demanded Rs.27,556 crore for 12th Five Year Plan period from the Planning Commission. This is almost double than the 11th Five Year-approved Plan," he said.

Speaking at the inaugural session of legislators convened for mid-term appraisal of the current annual plan and fixing the priorities for the next Plan, Dhumal said the government had fixed a target of achieving 9.5 percent growth rate during the 12th Plan.

He said he had taken up the matter with the central government for providing special assistance to the state keeping in view the tough geographical conditions.

"The 13th Finance Commission has not appreciated the genuine demands of the state and had given an annual hike of 50 percent over the 12th Finance Commission in respect of allocation of resources. This was the least hike as some states have got increase in allocation of resources upto 126 percent," he said.

The chief minister said the state's loan limit had also been estimated less, at Rs.1,647 crore, which would hamper the growth of the state.

 

[truckin]

Himachal shows the way, Haryana catches up on ‘plastic’ road

The Haryana Public Works Department (Building and Roads) has now undertaken a pilot project of constructing two kilometres of road in the state using plastic waste. Engineer-in-Chief of PWD (B&R) Mahesh Kumar told The Indian Express that work on the two stretches was likely to be completed within a month. After familiarising its staff with the procedure and studying the challenges, by the end of the year plastic waste would be used for road construction all over Haryana, he added.

As part of the pilot project, two stretches of one kilometre each have been selected in Panchkula and Ambala districts — in Panchkula district, it is a road stretch near Barwala while in Ambala district, it is a kilometre stretch on the Old Delhi road. These roads will be laid using plastic carry bags. Committees have been constituted in both these districts, under the chairmanship of the respective deputy commissioners.

 

[truckin]

Future Group to promote ‘Brand Himachal’

The Future Group has joined hands with the Himachal Pradesh Government for a strategic partnership to promote ‘Brand Himachal', aimed at developing various source-to-market initiatives and facilitate for creating livelihood for over 25,000 families in the State.

The partnership was launched in New Delhi by Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal and Future Group CEO Kishore Biyani in shape of ‘Himachal Yatra'. This will provide a national platform to showcase and market outreach to the State's produce and services through Big Bazaar stores across the country.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Dhumal said this initiative to provide direct market linkages to agriculture and horticulture produce of the State would benefit the farmers at large by showcasing Himachali products in Big Bazaar stores in 85 cities and 60 rural locations across the country.

 

[anidel]

Himachal seeks Rs.27,556 crore for 12th Plan

HP desperately needs new airports, rail links and wider roads so that it can utilize its full potential.

 

[truckin]

Shimla fails to execute any JNNRUM project

Mission city Shimla has failed to execute any Jawharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) project despite some having been approved about four and a half years ago. Seized with the matter, even the courts have intervened and sought explanation for delays incurred.

Papers presented before the state assembly reveal that none of the 19 projects approved under JNNURM by the Union government since March 2007 had been completed in the city.

n his petition, Chauhan had expressed anguish at the "tardy and sluggish execution" of Auckland House Tunnel, which was supposed to have been completed by March 2008.

A delay of more than three years and slow pace of work at the site has posed undue hardships for the people, Chauhan claimed and added that the pace of work has already caused immense damage to private and public properties in the vicinity. The courts are aware of the matter and Chief Justice Kurian Joseph has personally visited the site, Chauhan said.

Papers with the urban development ministry show that 54 detailed project reports for improving urban infrastructure and housing for the poor were sent to the central government for approval since the first UPA government brought 63 cities, including Shimla, under the ambitious urban renewal mission in 2006.

Status reports show that Rs 5.07 crore had been spent on the Auckland House tunnel, which is about 150m long, even though the state had received Rs 9.08 crore for it. Besides, the project should have been completed three years ago.

Regarding the setting up of a Rs 16.04 crore solid waste management plant approved in March 2007, the ministry status report shows that Rs 2.90 crore had been spent for road widening and laying the foundation of the structure.

Out of a Rs 72.36 crore project for rehabilitation of water supply distribution system, which was approved in February 2009, only Rs 86,000 had been spent even though the state has received Rs 15.91 crores of central funds for it.

Two housing projects, worth Rs 24 crore, for the poor approved in March 2007 and February 2008 for constructing 636 flats were behind schedule and land for the earlier one was identified only this year.

Under the funding of buses, a Rs 7.60 crore project stands partially completed, with 75 buses having been purchased for Rs 6.99 crore.

 

[truckin]

HP scraps Rs 2,400-cr microchip project

Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal on Monday told the state Assembly that the government has scrapped the ambitious Rs 2,400-crore microchip project of a Silicon Valley-based firm as the promoters have failed to show any progress in setting up its unit at Baddi in Solan district.

Dhumal was responding to Congress MLA and former minister B S Bali’s question on the fate of the project.

Bali demanded a high-level probe into it and said the company has caused a huge loss to the state, as it also included 60MW captive power plant at Ropa.

However, Dhumal rejected Bali’s allegations and said the project did not take off due to economic downturn in the US. The state government, he admitted, had given a commitment to allot 60MW hydro power project to the company and it will now be put for international bidding.

He said the microchip firm, Solana Yam Company, had deposited Rs 50 lakh as upfront premium and allotted land in the industrial hub of Baddi.

Dhumal also said if any other investor came forward with a project of similar scale, the government would consider it again.

 

[truckin]

HP seeks to convert five state roads into National Highways

Himachal Pradesh government on Tuesday urged the Centre to declare five existing road stretches in the state as National Highways to help strengthen the network in rural areas, which are emerging as new hubs for growing cash crops and fruits.

State’s Public Works Minister Gulab Singh Thakur called on Union Surface Transport minister CP Joshi in New Delhi and urged him to declare Hamirpur-Palampur-Sujanpur, Brahmpukhar-Bilaspur-Ghumarwin-Sarkaghat-Ladbharol-Baijnath, Pathankot-Dalhousie-Chamba-Bharmour, Taradevi-Jubarhatti-Kunihar-Ramshahar-Nalagarh-Ghamouli, and Chandigarh-Pokhar-Nalagarh-Ramshahar-Arki-Shalaghat roads as National Highways.

Thakur informed the Transport Minister that the Centre had earlier approved in principal to declare the five roads as National Highways. However a formal notification has not been issued. He urged the Union minister to expedite the process so that funds for these roads could be released immediately.

 

[truckin]

Himachal Pradesh: Tourism contributing 18 percent of State Gross Domestic Product

Tourism sector is contributing 18 percent of State Gross Domestic Product. This was revealed by Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister after dedicating Tourism Information Centre at Solan constructed at a cost of Rs. 1.36 crore today. He said that at present 2150 hotels were registered in the State where 25,800 rooms facilities were available to accommodate 56,000 guests. He said that as many as 370 houses were registered under Home Stay Scheme in rural areas of the State where traditional food cuisines were served to the tourists adding that the visitors were also being acquainted with Himachali culture and customs.

Chief Minister said that Rs. 17 crore were being spent on various tourism activities in Solan district. He said that Rs. 4.20 crore was being spent on Solan Tourism Circuit, Rs. 4.80 crore on Chail Circuit, Rs. 7.05 crore on Jubbarhatti-Arki-Nalagarh circuit, and Rs. 70 lakh on Rural Tourism Circuit. He said that necessary tourism infrastructural facilities were being created in the district like wayside amenities, tourism information centres, parkings, parks etc. etc. In addition to this, picnic spots, trekking paths and other public facilities would also be ensured to the people. He said that the State Government had published coffee table book, Har Ghar Kuchh Kehta Hai and Har Gaon Ki Kahani to attract tourists to the State. He said that in the first phase the legend from one village of each district was incorporated in Har Gaon Ki Kahani and more such 102 legends of villages would be published.

Prof. Dhumal said that the State had been awarded with Best Tourist State Award, Best Hill destination, Best Summer Destination, and Best Adventure Destination. He said that as many as 1.32 crore tourists visited the State last year including 4.53 lakh foreign tourists which were much more than other States of the country including Goa. He said that State Government was committed to provide all basic facilities to the tourists.

 

[truckin]

Canada eyes investing in Himachal

Dhumal told the Canadian high commissioner that the state already has the country’s largest hydro power project the 1500 MW Nathpa Jhakri project and the 2100 MW Parbati project which is to be built.

The state government also wants Cananda to help to revive the old apple orchards in the state by plating high yielding varieties.

Dhumal said Himachal would be keen to welcome Canadian investment in education and food processing sectors.

 

[truckin]

BBMB nod for Nadaun irrigation project in Himachal

To extend irrigation facilities and bring additional land under multiple cropping, an over Rs 100 Cr medium irrigation proposal for Nadaun area of Hamirpur district has been put to the central government for funding purpose, top officials disclosed.

Director Central Water Commission (CWC) Dorje Gyamba said “the project moved by the state government was under consideration for funding by the union government.”

“Most importantly, Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has given its no objection for this project that proposes to lift water from Beas river to irrigate agricultural fields,” he said. All irrigation projects in the Satluj and Beas river basin need BBMB approval.

The proposed irrigation facility would benefit about 30,000 people spread over 16 villages and provide annual irrigation to about 6500 hectares. The project is estimated to cost Rs 103.45 crore.

Besides these projects, funding for two flood protection projects are also in the pipeline, with approval for one of them having been obtained, said the CWC director.

In principal approval for the Rs 6.38 Cr Soan Khad flood protection in Dharampur area of Mandi district has been obtained, and a Rs 25 Cr Seer Khad project in Jahu area of Bilaspur district was also being scrutinized for approval, he said.

With the major Shah Nehar Rs 385 Cr irrigation projects in Kangra district nearing completion, work on the Rs 204.5 Cr Finna irrigation project for Nurpur area of Kangra district, which was sanctioned recently, is to start soon.

Only in March, an Rs 88 Cr Changar lift irrigation scheme that draws it water from the Anandpur Sahib hydel channel was inaugurated. This project, only feasible after an agreement with Punjab government, now provides irrigation to 2350 hecaters of parched lands in Naina Devi area of Bilaspur district.

Other projects on which work is going on are the Siddha Medium irrigation and Balh valley irrigation scheme.

Of the 55.67 lakh hectares of land in the hilly state, the potential to provide irrigation through major schemes is limited to 50,000 hectares while an additional 2.85 lakh hectares are covered under minor irrigation schemes.

 

[anidel]

The corruption and snail pace of project execution is hurting HP BJP need to replace this CM like they have done in Uttrakhand.

 

[anujkb]

HP desperately needs new airports, rail links and wider roads so that it can utilize its full potential.

true.

wider roads are being built now. you cant expect too much from the hills.

more than that the need of the hour is CITY BUSES in major cities. HP capital Shimla LACKS ANY PUBLIC MODE OF TRANSPORT.

IMHO 3 airports (bhuntar juggarpatti kangra) seems sufficient. they barely see twice-a-day activity.

* The already established helipads by SDMA HP (especially ones at Tandi, Killar, Bharmour, Tabo, Nako)should be opened for public transport at cheaper costs (similar to pawan hans operations). This would be much-needed respite for travellers.

 

[anujkb]

Himachal Pradesh: Tourism contributing 18 percent of State Gross Domestic Product

certainly HP is the best when it comes to tourism . people think only of shimla kullu manali in tourist places in HP, but there must be 40 more destinations in HP and S-K-M are just 3 of them. I would always vote himachal better than J&K and certainly it has better places than leh to offer.

 

[anidel]

true.

wider roads are being built now. you cant expect too much from the hills.

more than that the need of the hour is CITY BUSES in major cities. HP capital Shimla LACKS ANY PUBLIC MODE OF TRANSPORT.

IMHO 3 airports (bhuntar juggarpatti kangra) seems sufficient. they barely see twice-a-day activity.

* The already established helipads by SDMA HP (especially ones at Tandi, Killar, Bharmour, Tabo, Nako)should be opened for public transport at cheaper costs (similar to pawan hans operations). This would be much-needed respite for travellers.

Bro, we are just double lanning the roads which were made by britishers era and feel that we have done enough.

1. Just look a Sikkim tragedy relief work has not started in many areas because they are unassailable by roads :bash::bash: If britishers can made roads-rail link 63 years back with that old era technologies we should have made many more and quake proof too (OR as 100% quake proof is not possible because of mountains it should be like that can be cleared in few hours not like 4-5 days are on and victims are still suffering :bash .

2. Apart from wider roads we need more and more alternate routes to each and every area like if a flash flood occures in a area and wash away the road/bridge we can reach the spot from other alternate route.

3. HP is not utilized even 10% of its real potential due to bad infrastructure and lack of hotels.

4. Even if there are wider roads in some area you can see long queues of vehicles waiting for some movement :bash: its because of lack of alternate routes and bottle necks due to bad planning (Or rather to say no planning maintaining what britishers have left)

5. 3 airports are not enough as tourist will pour in if they see a way to reach HP without hassles.

6. In case of war with china these airports can chip in.

7. The airports should be ready with CATS III landing gears and should have landing in about any circumstances at any time.

thakns

 

[anujkb]

^^ HP has as many as 80 helipads which they use for just relief work. see SDMA HP website.

this december due to very very heavy snowfall in kalpa valley some 130 tourists were stranded and they were removed in just 40 hrs by army due to helipad location.

* I still dont think its possible for more airports (show me a flat space in HP other than khajjiar) and need of them. 3 airports are more than enuff for a small state of HP. its proximity to national capital reduces urge to have airports (like leh). Most of the times flights in winter are cancelled due to low visibility. Rather than developing airports better to have more productivity in land to grow more apples potatoes and agriculture.

* It seems you havent seen recent manali-rohtang road. see the awesome quality of work on completed section. the road is more than 3 lanes wide. 2 cars and 2 trucks can easily run parallel.

* what source tells that 10% potential is lacked?

* only traffic in hp occurs at rohtang jyot, kangra side, swarghat and little before shimla (zirakpur onwards). traffic of shimla road is due to huge no of industries in solan-parwanoo area. shimla road would be 4 laned soon.
Traffic of swarghat (end of ghat towards ropar) is due to very narrow NH and all traffic of himachal meeting there.

 

[IU]

Designed by BDP Architects:

Indian Institute of Technology Masterplan at Mandi - 230 hectare campus

The campus layout responds to the microclimate and topography of the steep site in the part forested
hills of Kamand in the western Himalayan region.

Phase I

Phase I includes shared state-of-the-art laboratories and workshops in learning houses situated
on various levels and connected via pedestrian bridges. A market square forms the heart of the
campus and creates a place to encourage social interaction and celebration.

The faculty staff housing element forms a retreat on the higher levels at the campus ‘peninsula’.
It is laid out in a village setting offering fantastic views. Proposed building typologies echo the
traditional style of Himalayan a vernacular and strive toward a new architecture for the region.

 

[truckin]

:cheers::cheers:

 

[SSCaddict]

this is an awesome campus, my friend's friend went here last year for B.TEch and he said there is a river inside the campus and they had a form filled for the hostelites that they(the students) will be responsible for their deeds if something happens in the river :cheers: