Himachal News: Political rhetoric has intensified in Himachal Pradesh regarding the Kishau Multi-Purpose Dam Project. Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu said his government negotiated the project to protect Himachal Pradesh's interests and avoid additional financial burden on the state. He gave credit to his government for the negotiations and agreements reached for the project.
In a program organized at Rail in Nadaun assembly constituency, Chief Minister Sukhu also targeted BJP leaders Anurag Singh Thakur and Jairam Thakur. He said that regarding the Kishau project, BJP leaders should first get information related to the conditions of the project and the interests of Himachal.
Himachal claims to get benefits without additional investment
Chief Minister Sukhu said that Himachal Pradesh is expected to get a benefit of about Rs 1,500 crore from the Kishau project without any additional investment. He claimed that to achieve the same level of benefits, Uttarakhand would have to invest around Rs 3,000 crore.
According to the Chief Minister, the cost of the project has increased over the years. He told that about five years ago its cost was estimated to be around Rs 800 crore, which is now being said to be between Rs 3,000 to 5,000 crore.
Sukhu said that after the formation of the Congress government, three important meetings were held regarding the project and during these discussions the interests of Himachal Pradesh were kept in mind. According to him, the financial responsibility proposed earlier was not accepted.
Anurag Thakur and Jairam Thakur targeted
The Chief Minister also raised questions about Hamirpur MP Anurag Singh Thakur. He said that Anurag Thakur has been representing Hamirpur for a long time and he should understand the facts related to the Kishau project.
Sukhu also said that the role of the Central and Uttarakhand governments is important in the project, but his government has held talks considering the interests of Himachal. The Chief Minister accused BJP leaders of not giving credit to his government's efforts on the project issue. These allegations are in the form of a political statement by the Chief Minister.
BJP leaders gave credit to the Center
A different stand has emerged from BJP leaders regarding the Kishau project. Former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur has mentioned the role of the Central government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP-ruled states in the agreement of the project. MP Anurag Thakur also cited the Centre's efforts as the reason for resolving the impasse in the project and accused Chief Minister Sukhu of taking credit.
In this way, different claims have emerged between the leaders of Congress and BJP regarding the project and taking credit for its solution and agreement.
Agreement has been signed between six states
An agreement was signed between the Center and Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi on 15 September 2026 for the Kishau Multi-Purpose Project. Under the project, it is planned to build a 232.6 meter high concrete gravity dam on the Tons River. According to the Central Government, approximately 90 percent of the financial cost of the project will be borne by the Center and the remaining part will be as per the arrangements of the respective states.
The project is said to have a provision of about 1,562 million cubic meters of water storage capacity, about 97,000 hectares of irrigation potential and 1,476 million units of power generation. Its objective is to contribute to the drinking water, irrigation and energy needs of the respective states.
The Kishau project has been pending for a long time. After the new agreement, the further process towards its implementation is expected to begin.