The Hindu : New Delhi News : Chhattisgarh, NTPC stand-off resolved

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Monday, Apr 28, 2008
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New Delhi

Chhattisgarh, NTPC stand-off resolved

Sujay Mehdudia

NEW DELHI: The efforts of the Minister of State for Power Jairam Ramesh have paid off. The stand-off between the Chhattisgarh government and the National Thermal Power Corporation on the Rs. 12,000-crore power project has ‘ended’ with the State govt.agreeing to release water to the plant that would help kickstart the 500 MW unit.

“I have been informed by the Chhattisgarh government and NTPC that a go-ahead had been given to release water for the plant initially for three months. This will help in getting the plant commissioned immediately leading to generation of 500 MW of power that would be added to the grid and come as a big relief to the western region States in the current summer season,” Mr. Ramesh said.

Water is heated and turned into steam for power generation in thermal plants. It is also used for washing coal. Failure to release water had led to a stand off between NTPC and the Chhattisgarh government for almost a year with little effort being made by the power ministry to settle the issue. Mr. Ramesh took the initiative and held talks with Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh last week and sought an assurance for supply of water.

“Mr. Singh was very positive and we have assured them that the NTPC would fulfil the promises it made to the local population for training and recruitment in the project,” Mr. Ramesh stated.

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