Initially, the Deputy Commissioner of Hoshiarpur had granted permission for the project.

Punjab Government Blocks BBMB’s 18 MW Solar Project in Hoshiarpur Over Land Dispute

The Punjab Government has raised objections to the 18-megawatt solar power project proposed by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) in Talwara township of Hoshiarpur district.

BBMB planned the project on 70 acres of surplus land, with Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) designated as the executing agency. Initially, the Deputy Commissioner of Hoshiarpur had granted permission for the project, including permission to fell around 4,000 trees on the selected site. However, the state government subsequently withheld this clearance, invoking provisions of the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA) to prevent deforestation on the site, sources said.

Officials from BBMB said that BBMB has already invested an estimated INR 8 crore in transmission infrastructure to evacuate generated power. They have warned that the blockade could lead to cost escalations or even withdrawal by SJVN if the delays persist. Chief Engineer Rakesh Gupta confirmed to The Tribune that earlier approvals were reversed by the state.

BBMB Chairman Manoj Tripathi is reportedly engaging with state authorities to resolve the issue. The Punjab Government’s stance is that the surplus BBMB land should revert to the state, and that BBMB lacks clear authority to undertake solar power development on such land, according to government officials.

Analysts said that this dispute highlights ongoing tensions between Punjab and BBMB over land rights and developmental jurisdiction in renewable energy projects.

Source: The Tribune