The Centre would grant all clearances to the 300 megawatt Lakhwar hydropower project in Uttarakhand soon. It has also agreed to provide financial assistance for completion of the project, official sources said on Friday.

During a meeting to discuss the status of hydropower projects in the State and neighbouring Himachal Pradesh in New Delhi on Thursday, the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mr Pulok Chatterjee, directed the officials concerned to grant all necessary clearances for the Lakhwar project, to be constructed on river Yamuna, the sources said.

He also said that the Centre would also provide financial assistance to Uttarakhand for the completion of the project, they said.

The meeting was attended by officials of Himachal Pradesh led by its Chief Secretary, Mr Sudripta Roy, Uttarakhand Chief Secretary, Mr Alok Kumar Jain and Secretary, Power, Mr S.S Sandhu.

The officials urged the Centre to restart the stalled power projects in Uttarakhand.

Mr Jain said the growing difference between demand and supply of power had made it difficult for the State Government to provide uninterrupted electricity to the people, sources said.

The meeting also discussed the 660 MW Kisau hydropower project, a joint venture between Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. The project, which is to be constructed on Tons river, would also provide drinking water and irrigation facilities to the States such as Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi, they added.

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