Bihar signs MoUs to augment power generation

Patna, May 29 (UNI) The Bihar government today signed three MOUs with the central electricity agencies to augment power generation by 220 MW in the state during the next one and half years.

Official seal was put on the relevant documents in this regard at a meeting here between the state government and the government corporations in the presence of state Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Union Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde.

Mr Kumar told newspersons that an MoU was signed between the state government and the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) for renovation and modernisation of Kanti thermal power station near Muzaffarpur with an installed capacity of 110 MW.

The Bihar government would contribute about Rs 350 crore for the project as the state's share drawn from the allocations under Rashtriya Sam Vikas Yojna. The renovated plant with modern machineries was likely to be commissioned in nearly one and half years, he added.

The MoU provides for 75 per cent share to NTPC in the new venure for renovation and modernisation, leaving the remaining 25 share for the state government.

A similar agrrment was signed for renovation and modernisation of 110 MW Barauni thermal power station also. The state government would contribute Rs 250 crore in the project raised from Rashtriya Sam Vikas Yojna.

Another tie-up was signed with the Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) for laying power transmission lines across the state at a cost of Rs 629 crore.

UNI DH-BNG SP CS VC1430