BBMB (Bhakra Beas Management Board) to revive 40-yr-old power plant at Baggi :

1. The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Government of Himachal Pradesh for operationalising the 40 MW hydropower generation plant at Baggi in the state.

2. The powerhouse, built on the Beas-Sutlej Link in 1976, has been lying in a disused and dilapidated state since then because of some differences over royalty and power sharing between BBMB member states of HP, Punjab and Rajasthan.

3. Two 20 MW power plants in the Baggi Power House would be executed by the BBMB at the tail of Pandoh-Baggi tunnel with an estimated cost of Rs 350 crore and the project was expected to be completed in four years.

4. The MoU was of utmost importance as it had been signed after 40 years of the completion of the BSL project. It had been assigned to the BBMB by the Union Ministry of Power after concurrence of all partner states of the BBMB.

5. The power generated from the project will be shared among partner states as per the Power Ministry’s order of October 31, 2011, after deducting free power to HP. The MoU with HP will facilitate the BBMB for establishment of the project in the state and entitle the BBMB for the subsidies and incentives in accordance with the applicable rules and policies of the state government. The Chief Minister asked the BBMB to complete the project within three years.

To be completed in four years :

• The powerhouse, built on the Beas-Sutlej Link in 1976, has been lying in a disused and dilapidated state since then because of some differences over royalty and power sharing between BBMB member states of HP, Punjab and Rajasthan
• Two 20 MW power plants in the Baggi Power House will be executed by the BBMB at the tail of Pandoh-Baggi tunnel with an estimated cost of Rs 350 crore and the project was expected to be completed in four years.

About BBMB :

• As per the Indus Water Treaty, 1960 signed between India and Pakistan, the waters of three eastern rivers namely the Sutlej, the Beas and the Ravi were allotted to India for exclusive use. A Master Plan was drawn to harness the potential of these rivers for providing assured irrigation, power generation and flood control. Bhakra and Beas Projects form major part of the plan, and were established as a joint-venture of the erstwhile states of Punjab and Rajasthan.
• On Reorganisation of the erstwhile state of Punjab on 1st November, 1966, Bhakra Management Board (BMB) was constituted under section 79 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966. The administration, maintenance and operation of Bhakra Nangal Project were handed over to Bhakra Management Board w.e.f. 1st October 1967.
• The Beas Project Works, on completion, were transferred by Government of India from Beas Construction Board (BCB) to Bhakra Management Board as per the provisions of Section 80 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966. Pursuant to this Bhakra Management Board was renamed as Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) w.e.f. 15th May 1976. Since then, the Bhakra Beas Management Board is dedicated to the service of nation and is engaged in regulation of the supply of Water & Power from Bhakra Nangal and Beas Projects to the states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pardesh, Delhi and Chandigarh.