The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has granted Stage-II clearance under the Forest Conservation Act for the 450 MW Shongtong Karchham Hydro Electric Project in Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur district, after a lengthy delay since 2018. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu emphasized that the state government’s persistent efforts were key in securing this crucial approval for the 85 bighas of land needed for the project’s barrage. The Stage-I clearance was initially granted on March 19, 2024, and the state government subsequently submitted a compliance report to obtain final approval. Construction is slated for completion by November 2026, and a transmission line is also being laid to facilitate power generation. This project is expected to significantly enhance the state's power generation capacity and contribute to economic growth, while also promoting renewable energy sources. The clearance marks a significant milestone for the state government and the residents of Kinnaur, who have been awaiting progress on this initiative.