In Mandi, ground-breaking for projects worth Rs20K crore

Tribune News Service

Shimla, December 18

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will preside over the state government’s ground-breaking ceremony for projects worth Rs 20,786 crore in Mandi on December 27. The Prime Minister is visiting the state on the completion of four years of the government in office.

“The government has signed 279 MoUs with investors. The MoUs will see an investment worth Rs 20,786 crore,” said Bikram Singh, Minister for Industries and Transport, here today.

The minister said the ceremony would see the advent of defence industry for the first time in the state. “It’s a project worth Rs 3,000 crore. For the first time, defence equipment will be made in the state,” he said. “Besides, pharma companies are also making big investments. While a company is making an investment of Rs 850 crore, another firm Indo Pharma is investing Rs 510 crore for expansion. Vardhman is also investing Rs 600 crore for expansion,” he said.

The minister said the Industries Department had signed 130 MoUs which would bring in an investment of Rs 11,503 crore. The power sector, too, would see big investments coming in. “Against the 14 MoUs signed for power projects, Rs 5,511 crore will be invested, while Rs 1,294 crore will be invested in 42 Himurja projects,” he said. The first ground-breaking ceremony was held in December 2019. The government hopes that the ceremony will help bring back the economy, shattered by Covid-19, on track and help it in the elections next year.