Question:
Consider the following statements:
(1) The first step in rural electrification was taken on January 14, 1958 when lights were switched on at Sundernagar.
(2) At the time of electrification of Sundernagar in Mandi district, its population was nearly 12,000 when its 20 nearby villages in fertile Balh Valley were given electrification.
(3) The electrification programme in the state was divided into two parts (i) Local power generation was proposed in high valleys remote from the district headquarters (ii) The lower belts of the state near Punjab were to get electricity from the Nangal and Uhl river feeder.
(4) The Shanan powerhouse is currently under the control of Punjab State Electricity Board and whole of the revenue goes to Punjab Government.
Select the correct answer given below:
(A) Only (1) and (3) are correct
(B) Only (3) and (4) are correct
(C) Only (1) and (2) are correct
(D) Only (4) and (2) are correct
Answer : (B) Only (3) and (4) are correct
Analysis of the Statements
Here’s a breakdown of the statements regarding electrification in Himachal Pradesh:
- (1) & (2) First Electrification at Sundernagar:
- These statements contain highly specific historical details (date, population, number of villages) that are difficult to verify and may be inaccurate. While Sundernagar was an early beneficiary of electrification due to its proximity to the Uhl project, these specific claims are likely incorrect. Electrification in Himachal was a gradual process, and these statements oversimplify it.
- (3) Electrification Programme Strategy:
- Correct 👍. This statement accurately describes the logical, two-pronged approach used for electrifying a mountainous state like Himachal Pradesh.
- Remote Valleys: Due to the difficult terrain, setting up small, localized power generation units (micro-hydel projects) was the most feasible option for high-altitude areas.
- Lower Belts: The areas of Himachal bordering Punjab (like Una, Kangra) were easier to connect to the larger grid fed by major projects like the Bhakra-Nangal system and the Shanan Powerhouse on the Uhl river.
- Correct 👍. This statement accurately describes the logical, two-pronged approach used for electrifying a mountainous state like Himachal Pradesh.
- (4) Shanan Powerhouse Control:
- Correct 👍. This is a well-known and significant fact. The Shanan Powerhouse, located at Jogindernagar in Himachal Pradesh, has historically been under the control of the Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd. (formerly PSEB). This arrangement was based on a 99-year lease agreement from the pre-independence era. Consequently, the revenue generated has gone to the Punjab government. The lease expired in March 2024, and the transfer of the project to Himachal Pradesh is a major ongoing issue between the two states.