NHPC Limited has invested more than ₹56.62 crore in community development projects across Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba district under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme over the past six financial years, significantly strengthening public infrastructure in education, healthcare, sanitation and social welfare.
The details were shared by Rajya Sabha MP Harsh Mahajan, who is also a member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Energy. He said the PSU’s CSR initiatives, implemented between 2020-21 and 2025-26, have helped improve the quality of life for residents, particularly those living in remote and underserved parts of the district.
According to the information provided, the highest CSR expenditure of ₹29.69 crore was made in areas covered under the Chamera-II hydroelectric project. This was followed by ₹13.85 crore spent in the Chamera-I project region and ₹9.72 crore under the Baira Siul project. The investments have supported a range of infrastructure and welfare initiatives aimed at addressing local development needs.
Education has emerged as one of the key focus areas of NHPC’s CSR programme. The company has undertaken the construction of 45 school buildings, including 25 primary schools and 20 secondary schools, with an approved project cost of ₹7.75 crore. Out of this amount, ₹6.57 crore has already been released, while nearly the entire sanctioned amount has been utilised. Most of the school buildings have been completed, with only finishing work pending at a few locations.
To improve access to safe drinking water, NHPC has installed 350 water purifiers in schools and Anganwadi centres across Chamba district. The initiative, completed at a cost of ₹36.68 lakh, is expected to benefit thousands of students and children by ensuring access to clean drinking water within educational institutions.
Healthcare infrastructure has also received a boost through the company’s CSR interventions. NHPC has installed biochemistry analysers in five laboratories across the district at a cost of ₹18 lakh, improving diagnostic facilities and strengthening healthcare services available to local residents.
In addition to these initiatives, NHPC has introduced a mobile therapy van equipped with speech and physiotherapy specialists to provide rehabilitation services to nearly 150 children with physical, intellectual and developmental disabilities. The company has also extended financial assistance for upgrading the Paradise Day-Care Centre in Chowari and supported sanitation infrastructure projects in Chamba town.
Mahajan said NHPC’s CSR activities demonstrate the important role public sector enterprises can play in supporting inclusive development alongside their core business operations. He noted that the projects have contributed to improving educational facilities, healthcare access and basic civic infrastructure, particularly in villages located around NHPC’s hydropower projects.
The continued investment reflects NHPC’s commitment to sustainable community development and complements government efforts to improve living standards in the hill district through long-term infrastructure creation and social welfare programmes.
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