Shimla, Jan 10 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh has asked the central government to waive its condition of cumulative impact assessment (CIA) study of the Chenab river as it is delaying execution of numerous hydroelectric projects located on it, an official statement said Tuesday.

In a letter to Environment Minister Jayanti Natarajan, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal has urged the minister not to impose the condition of CIA study on the Chenab basin as “it’s unilateral and contrary to the state’s interests”.

“As many as 28 hydroelectric projects of combined generation capacity of 5,800 MW are at an advanced stage of obtaining (environment ministry) clearances. All these projects are located on the Chenab. Such a condition would result in delaying the execution of the projects,” the chief minister said.

He said the assessment study for the Sutlej river basin is in progress and terms of reference for the Chenab basin is awaiting approval of the forest advisory committee of the environment ministry.

Dhumal urged Natarajan to issue directions to the authorities concerned not to apply CIA study condition on fresh proposals of the Chenab basin for clearances.

Himachal Pradesh has identified over 23,000 MW hydropower potential in the state out of which only about 25 percent has been harnessed so far.