The Hindu : New Delhi News : Seven development projects approved for Capital

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jun 03, 2007
ePaper

New Delhi

New Delhi

Seven development projects approved for Capital

Staff Reporter

These include construction of 1,500 MW Aravali thermal power project at Jhajjar in Haryana

NEW DELHI: The Expenditure Finance Committee of the Delhi Government has cleared seven projects including one for construction of a 1,500 MW coal-based Aravali Super Thermal Power Project at Jhajjar in Haryana at an estimated cost of Rs. 8,294 crore.

Of the remaining projects approved by the panel, five are of the Public Works Department and one of the Education Department, PWD and one each of Education and Power Departments, said Delhi Finance Minister A. K. Walia who presided over the meeting.

In the Aravali Super Thermal Power Project, Delhi would have an equity of Rs.622 crore. The cost of the project would be funded by equity and debt in the ratio of 30:70. While 50 per cent equity would be contributed by NTPC, IPGCL and HPGCL would hold 25 per cent equity each. The Minister said Delhi had already released an equity of Rs.150 crore for this project. The first unit of 500 MW would be commissioned within six months after start of work and subsequent units would become operational at six months intervals.

Dr. Walia said the Ministry of Coal has arranged coal linkage from Mahanadi Coal Field Ltd. whereas the Railway Ministry has conveyed its approval for long-term rail linkage from the coal field to the power plant.

He said Delhi was facing an acute power shortage that would further increase in coming years. Keeping in view the increase in demand and the Commonwealth Games in 2010, it has been decided to give the green signal to Aravali Super Thermal Power Project. The power generated from this project will be shared by Delhi and Haryana in equal proportion. This, he said, would go a long way in overcoming the problem of power shortage.

Dr. Walia said an amount of Rs.106.63 crore had also been sanctioned for upgrading streetlights on PWD roads. The roads would be properly lit once a uniform, modern and standardised lighting system is installed. For the first time, the project includes a five-year comprehensive maintenance contract. The idea is to make PWD roads conform to international lighting standards before the Commonwealth Games.

The EFC has also approved construction of a grade separator on GT Road Shahdara at Keshav Chowk near Shyamlal College in Shahdara that would cost Rs.93.22 crore and would be completed within 33 months from start of work. This grade separator would include an escalator, sub-ways and foot over bridges (FOBs).

An amount of Rs. 4.67 crore has also been sanctioned for construction of an FOB with ramps and escalators across Road No.63 at Meet Nagar. The project would be completed within 10 months. The EFC also accorded its approval for construction of a service road near Shaheen Bagh from Jasola cut to Kalindi Kunj junction at an estimated cost of Rs. 1.25 crore. The project would be completed within six months.

An amount of Rs. 2.40 crore has also been approved for construction of a two-lane bridge on the old Agra Canal near Jasola within a year. Likewise a sum of Rs.2.15 crore has been sanctioned for construction of 40 classrooms and staircases at Government Senior Secondary School at Mohan Garden within nine months from the start of work.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

New Delhi