Himachal to get 11,973 MU power over 20 years

Himachal Pradesh is set to receive 11,973 million units of electricity over the next 20 years following the Supreme Court’s approval of the Centre’s proposal in the long-pending Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) dispute, BJP state media co-convenor Dhanvendra Singh said.

Welcoming the court’s decision, Singh credited the Narendra Modi-led Central Government with playing a significant role in resolving the decades-old dispute concerning Himachal Pradesh’s rights and outstanding electricity dues.

According to Singh, the Centre proposed settling the outstanding dues through electricity rather than cash. The Supreme Court approved the proposal on November 6, 2026, and directed Punjab and Haryana to ensure the supply of 11,973 million units to Himachal Pradesh over the next two decades.

Singh said the decision represented a significant relief for the state and acknowledged the Centre’s efforts in facilitating the settlement. He also praised the mediation undertaken by the Government of India through the Attorney General, which, he said, had been appreciated by the Supreme Court in its order.

The dispute dates back to 1996, when Himachal Pradesh filed an original suit in the Supreme Court to safeguard its rights. On September 27, 2011, the apex court had determined Himachal Pradesh’s 7.19 per cent share in BBMB projects under the Punjab Reorganisation Act.

However, disagreements over implementation of the decision and payment of outstanding electricity dues continued between the states, Singh said.

He maintained that the resolution should be viewed as the outcome of a prolonged legal battle spanning 1996, 2011 and 2026, rather than credited exclusively to any single state government.

Singh said the settlement would strengthen Himachal Pradesh’s revenue position and energy sector over the long term, while describing the Centre’s intervention as an important contribution towards safeguarding the state’s interests.