Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, on Tuesday, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, seeking support for the state's green state initiatives.
Sukhu requested approval for RIDF loans under NABARD to fund electric buses, which are part of the state's green initiatives. He also discussed the potential for generating 1,000 MW of hybrid solar and wind energy in Spiti and sought support for a mega solar project.
Additionally, Sukhu raised several power-related issues pending with the central government, including the long-pending arrears of the state's share from the Bhakra Beas Management Board and the restoration of the Shanan Project rights and assets. He also discussed the issue of free power royalty in power projects under SJVN and NHPC.
Sukhu informed PM Modi about the state's efforts to boost tourism, with Kangra being developed as the tourism capital, and requested the expansion of the Kangra airport and the establishment of a tourism special economic zone (SEZ). He also briefed PM Modi on various development initiatives in the state and requested substantial financial assistance to recover from the massive losses suffered during the previous monsoon.
PM Modi assured Sukhu of all possible assistance. Later, Sukhu also met with the Union Minister for MPP and Power Manohar Lal Khattar, and sought his intervention in restoring the rights of the Shanan Power Project to the state and releasing the pending share due from BBMB.