Prime Minister’s flagship platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation, PRAGATI, has marked a significant milestone since its launch in 2015. PRAGATI has transformed governance by enabling real-time monitoring and resolution of key infrastructure projects and public grievances through direct Prime Ministerial review. The platform exemplifies cooperative federalism, bringing together the Centre, States, and Union Ministries on a single digital interface. Parbati-II Hydroelectric Project in Himachal Pradesh is one of the examples of PRAGATI.
The Parbati-II Hydroelectric Project is a run-of-the-river hydropower station developed by NHPC Limited on the Parbati River in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. The project is among India’s most technically complex and strategically significant hydropower developments. Parbati-II is designed to generate approximately 3,074 million units of electricity annually, supplying reliable renewable power to the Northern Grid and benefitting multiple states. These states include Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, and the UT of Chandigarh.However, the scale and complexity of the project posed significant implementation challenges.
During construction, progress was impeded by issues relating to land mutation, despite physical possession of acquired land having largely been taken. The project faced significant construction delays, especially in the execution of the main headrace tunnel, owing to the extremely fragile Himalayan geology. The matter was reviewed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi under the PRAGATI mechanism on 17th February 2016.
The Prime Minister directed the Himachal Pradesh government to complete mutation of the balance acquired land on priority. He also directed the Ministry of Power and NHPC to significantly accelerate construction. Three of the four generating units commenced commercial operation on 1st April last year followed by commissioning of the fourth unit on 16th April last year, marking the full commercial commissioning of all 800 Mega Watt capacity. It is a demonstration of India’s growing capability to plan, execute, and deliver technically demanding infrastructure in extreme environments, enabled by leadership-driven intervention through the PRAGATI mechanism.
