The historic Shanan hydroelectric powerhouse at Jogindernagar in Mandi district, located around 40 km from Palampur, is facing an uncertain future as a prolonged ownership dispute between Himachal Pradesh and Punjab continues to stall efforts for its preservation. Once celebrated as an engineering marvel and a landmark of industrial development in northern India, the century-old project today stands at a crossroads, with concerns mounting over the deterioration of its heritage structures.

The Shanan project was established during the British era under an agreement signed between Raja Joginder Sen of the erstwhile Mandi State and British representative Colonel BC Batty. Commissioned more than a century ago, it is among India’s oldest hydroelectric installations and played a vital role in powering undivided Punjab, Delhi and Lahore. The project remains an important symbol of the region’s industrial and engineering legacy.

The controversy surrounding the project intensified after the expiry of its 99-year lease in March 2024. While the ownership issue is currently under consideration before the Supreme Court, local residents, historians and conservationists argue that the legal deadlock has left the historic asset in administrative limbo.

Although Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) continues to operate the facility, critics allege that little attention has been paid to conservation and maintenance. At the same time, departments of the Himachal Pradesh Government are reportedly unable to undertake restoration work due to the ongoing legal dispute.

The deteriorating condition of the project’s infrastructure has become increasingly visible. Several buildings associated with the power house at Jogindernagar and Barot are reported to be in a dilapidated state, with some structures said to be on the verge of collapse. Residents have also raised concerns about inadequate security arrangements, claiming that a property of immense historical, strategic and cultural significance is being guarded by minimal staff.

The issue has generated widespread concern across Himachal Pradesh, particularly in Mandi and Kangra districts, where the Shanan project is regarded as a key part of the state’s heritage. Many residents believe that the Union Government should facilitate an early resolution of the dispute and ensure the protection of the landmark before irreversible damage occurs.

Adding to the irony, visitors continue to encounter warning boards prohibiting photography across the premises, even as the heritage complex itself steadily deteriorates. Local grievances also extend to infrastructure linked to the project. The reservoir at Barot has become a popular tourist destination, attracting thousands of visitors annually.

However, residents allege that the road built above the underground water channel has fallen into disrepair and requires urgent restoration. They claim that despite repeated demands, the PSPCL has neither repaired the damaged stretch nor allowed Himachal Pradesh tourism authorities to undertake the work, adversely affecting tourism and local livelihoods.

Regardless of the eventual outcome of the Supreme Court proceedings, conservationists and local stakeholders insist that immediate protective measures are necessary to safeguard the historic Shanan powerhouse. They warn that without timely intervention, an irreplaceable chapter of India’s industrial heritage could be lost to neglect and administrative uncertainty.