PATNA: Union minister of state (independent charge) for power, new and renewable energy R K Singh on Thursday asked the officials concerned to expedite the ‘investment approval’ process for the Buxar Thermal Power Project so that foundation stone laying ceremony for the same could be organised by January.
The minister issued the directive while chairing a review meeting on the progress of the 1320mw project in New Delhi.
The meeting was attended by officials from Satluj Jal Vidhyut Nigam (SJVN) Limited, NITI Aayog, department of expenditure, Central Electricity Authority and the state government. The project, being executed by public sector undertaking SJVN Ltd, entails an expenditure of over Rs 10,000 crore.
Sources said different aspects of the project were discussed in the meeting. SJVNL chairman Nand Lal Sharma said the PSU had received all clearances, including environment clearance, chimney height clearance as well as land for main plant and coal linkage for the project.
Pratyaya Amrit, principal secretary in the state energy department, said Bihar would take not less than 85% power from the project as the state has seen a growth in power demand of 15% in the recent years. “Bihar has shown tremendous growth in electricity consumption as the per capita consumption of the state has grown from 145 units in 2012-13 to 360 units in 2017-18,” Pratyaya said.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes
