Kochi, Kerala: Kerala’s efforts to overcome its electricity crisis have sparked concerns in Himachal Pradesh, where industries in one of Asia’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturing hubs are struggling with frequent power cuts even as the state government sells electricity to Kerala at Rs 14.50 per unit.

The Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh (BBN) industrial belt in Himachal Pradesh’s Solan district has reportedly been experiencing prolonged unscheduled outages, repeated tripping and rotational power cuts over the past fortnight, disrupting production and raising concerns about financial losses.

The development comes as the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government supplies electricity to Kerala, where the Congress-led administration has been grappling with a power crisis.

The Himachal Pradesh government has committed to supplying Kerala with 600 MW of electricity between October 1 and 31, even as industrial units within the state report significant power shortages.

According to a report by The New Indian Express, Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh Industries Association (BBNIA) has now approached Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, seeking immediate intervention to restore reliable electricity supply to the industrial cluster.

The association has raised concerns over daily power shortages ranging from 50 MW to 70 MW, warning that continued disruptions could threaten production schedules, damage expensive machinery and affect employment.

The industrial belt, known for its pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities, also houses several other manufacturing units that depend on an uninterrupted electricity supply.

According to the report, the power situation has worsened following a change in the Himachal Pradesh government’s electricity trading policy. Previously, the state sold its 12 per cent free power royalty to Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) at Rs 2.92 per unit.

However, the government has reportedly discontinued that arrangement and begun selling the electricity through competitive bidding to secure higher returns. Under the new arrangement, electricity is being sold to Kerala at Rs 14.50 per unit, significantly higher than the rate previously offered by the state electricity board.

While the decision is expected to generate additional revenue for Himachal Pradesh, industrial representatives argue that the government must first ensure adequate power for factories operating within the state.