PM Modi to lay Renuka project stone on Dec 27

Tribune News Service

Shimla, December 20

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and lay foundation stone of four hydropower projects, including the Renuka Dam, during his visit to Himachal on December 27, the fourth anniversary of the BJP regime.

Morale-booster

• Modi will also lay stone of Luhri-I and Dhaula Sidh projects
• He will inaugurate the Sawra Kuddu hydro project
• His visit can get senior leaders sink their differences ahead of the Assembly polls next year

Discussions held

I extended him an invitation for the Mandi rally. I held discussion on several issues which are crucial for the development of the state. — Jai Ram Thakur, CM

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today met the PM in Delhi to extend a formal invitation to him for the December 27 rally at Mandi, which will mark the completion of four years of the BJP rule.

“I had a detailed discussion with the PM and extended him an invitation for the Mandi rally. I also had discussion on several issues and projects which are crucial for the development of the state,” said Thakur on his return from Delhi.

The PM’s visit is being considered politically significant as the BJP has suffered defeat in all four bypolls last month. The PM’s visit could help infuse new energy in the faction-ridden party. With infighting and sabotage being attributed one of the major factors for the BJP’s bypoll debacle, the PM’s visit could get senior leaders sink their differences ahead of the Assembly polls due next year.

Thakur said it was on his special request that the PM ensured that the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) at its last meeting gave nod to the much-delayed Renuka project.

“The PM will lay foundation stone of the Renuka project, estimated to cost about Rs 6,700 crore,” he said. The PM would also lay stone of Luhri-I and Dhaula Sidh projects and inaugurate the Sawra Kuddu hydro project.

He said the ground-breaking ceremony, the second after the Rising Himachal Global Investors Meet held at Dharamsala in November 2019, would be held on December 27. “We are hoping to hold the ground-breaking ceremony for investment up to Rs 20,000 crore,” he stated.