Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal on Sunday laid the foundation stone of an engineering college in the apple belt of Shimla district. It will be constructed with the financial assistance of a hydropower major.

A government spokesperson said the institute, named after former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, would initially start diploma courses from July.

"From the next academic year, the institute would start degree engineering courses too," he said.

The institute is located at Pragati Nagar, some 65 km from here, where a state-run carton manufacturing factory once existed.

Hydropower company Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd (SJVNL) that is running the country's biggest hydropower plant in the state is funding the institute.

"As part of corporate social responsibility, SJVNL is providing a financial assistance of Rs.75 crore. Initially, Rs.15 crore has been released for creating infrastructure," SJVNL deputy general manager Vijay Verma told the sources.

The institute would also conduct degree and diploma course related to hydropower trade, the spokesperson added. IANS