• Inaugurates and lays foundation stones of projects worth Rs. 116.28 crore in Lahaul-Spiti
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of development projects worth Rs. 116.28 crore in the tribal district of Lahaul-Spiti in the remote and strategically important border areas of Himachal Pradesh.
The Chief Minister inaugurated the first solar power project of the state with a battery storage facility in Rongtong, Kaza, of Spiti valley. The 2 MW solar power plant with a 1 MWh Battery Energy Storage System, constructed at a cost of Rs. 4.42 crore, is located at an altitude of approximately 3,600 metres above sea level. The plant is expected to generate around 36 lakh units of electricity annually. The construction of the solar project commenced on 30th May, 2023 and the plant was commissioned in December 2024. A total of 22,58,752 units of electricity were generated by the plant during the financial years 2024-25, 2025-26 and up to 30th September, 2026. It highlights the potential of solar energy in remote, high-altitude regions and demonstrates how suitable technology and efficient operational systems can promote clean power generation in the Himalayan areas.
The Chief Minister said that the solar power project would emerge as a new symbol of development in Spiti Valley. He said that the Rongtong Hydel Power Project would be made fully functional, for which an amount of Rs. 6 crore would be spent. Recalling his first visit as a Chief Minister to Spiti in 2023, he said that the people of the area had raised concerns regarding the quality and reliability of electricity supply. He said that the commissioning of the solar power project marked a significant step towards addressing these concerns and strengthening the power infrastructure in the region.
Sh. Sukhu also laid the foundation stones of 66/22 kV sub-stations at Sumdo in Kinnaur district and Kaza, with a combined project cost of Rs. 47.95 crore. Located within an aerial distance of approximately 100 kilometres from the Line of Actual Control, these sub-stations will strengthen electricity infrastructure in strategically important border areas and help ensure a more reliable, stable and uninterrupted power supply to Kaza, Sumdo and adjoining regions.
At present, electricity supply to the Spiti region is primarily routed through the 66/22 kV substation at Pooh in Kinnaur district via an approximately 200-kilometre-long 22 kV Pooh-Kaza feeder. The considerable length of the feeder and its multiple spur connections have contributed to voltage fluctuations, technical losses and difficulties in maintaining a consistent power supply, particularly during adverse weather conditions.
The proposed sub-stations will strengthen the distribution network, improve voltage regulation, reduce technical losses and enhance the system’s capacity to meet the growing electricity demand arising from local development, tourism and essential services. The project also holds strategic significance, as reliable power supply is vital for defence and security establishments, border infrastructure, healthcare facilities, educational institutions and other public services. The improved infrastructure is expected to provide considerable relief to residents of the high-altitude regions of Spiti and Kinnaur, where extreme climatic conditions and difficult terrain frequently pose challenges to electricity supply and infrastructure maintenance.
The Chief Minister also inaugurated the Chhidang-Tangti Khar Telling Road project in Pin Valley of Lahaul-Spiti, constructed at a cost of Rs. 39.55 crore. The project aims to transform the existing unpaved road into a durable, all-weather road, providing safer, smoother and more reliable connectivity to residents of remote tribal areas.
The upgraded road infrastructure includes safety provisions such as crash barriers, parapets, signages and speed breakers. Improved connectivity is expected to boost tourism in the picturesque Pin Valley, facilitate access to scenic villages and create new livelihood opportunities for local communities. It will also support the timely transportation of agricultural produce, particularly green peas and seed potatoes, along with essential goods. Better road access will further improve connectivity to healthcare facilities, educational institutions, administrative offices and other essential services.
The Chief Minister also inaugurated the upgradation works of the 12 kilometre Tanzit-Hikkim Road in Spiti Valley, completed at a cost of Rs. 24.36 crore. The project is an important initiative to improve road connectivity in this remote, high-altitude region, where difficult terrain and extreme climatic conditions often make transportation challenging.
The improved road will facilitate the transportation of agricultural produce and essential commodities, reduce travel difficulties and enhance access to essential services. It will also improve connectivity to Hikkim village, renowned for its high-altitude post office, and provide further impetus to tourism-related activities in the region. The project is expected to contribute to the socio-economic development of remote tribal communities by supporting local livelihoods and creating opportunities in tourism and allied sectors.
