A powerhouse that once illuminated streets of Lahore
AMRITSAR: The dispute between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh over the control of Shanan Hydropower Project has brought back attention to the British-era powerhouse, a relic of undivided Punjab before Independence that once illuminated Lahore.
Situated in HP’s Jogindernagar, the Shanan powerhouse is one of the oldest that used to feed the entire undivided Punjab and Delhi before Independence. Owing to its historical and heritage significance, it is more of a tourist resort than a mere powerhouse. A large number of tourists visit the Barot valley, a cupshaped village on the banks of Uhl, where the dam is situated.
“This 48 MW Stage -I Project was constructed at the initial cost of ₹2,53,43,709 and commissioned in 1932. It was officially opened by then viceroy of India at Shalimar Receiving Station, Lahore on March 10, 1933,” as per the information on the official website of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL). The reorganisation of states Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh took place in 1966 as per provision contained in Punjab re-organisation Act, 1966, under which the Shanan powerhouse situated at Jogindernagar in Himachal Pradesh was allocated to Punjab by the ministry of irrigation and power.
This powerhouse was constructed against the backdrop of dense deodar forests with a fourstage haulage rail network starting from Jogindernagar up to Barot. The British had also laid a narrow gauge rail line between Pathankot and Jogindernagar to transport heavy machinery to the Shanan complex. British-era poles carrying transmission lines are still standing tall in Majha region. After partition, supply to Lahore was discontinued and its transmission line was stopped at Verka village in Amritsar. Recalling the memories of this powerhouse, Padamjit Singh, who retired as a senior official in grid control system operation of erstwhile Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB), said, “Despite being so old, it is working very well and generating the electricity in full capacity even today. After 1966, Punjab upgraded and expanded it.”