Goa to talk with Karnataka/Maharashtra for border megapower projects

Panaji June 2 (UNI) The Goa government will soon initiate a dialogue with its neighbouring Karnataka and Maharashtra to consider a proposal of the Centre to set up mega-power projects on borders to meet with the increasing demand in future.

Disclosing this to mediapersons here today, Goa power minister Digambar Kamat said the three had to identify the site for each of the power plant which required at least six lakh square metres on borders before going in for environment impact assessment and other reports for feasibility of setting up 4000 mw plants.

''We have not yet decided in principle whether to go in for such megaprojects on the borders as suggested by the Union Ministry of Power. We do so only after consulting the two states as as we get additional power allocation,'' the minister said.

The issue was raised by Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde during Mr Kamat's visit to New Delhi recently as the Centre had decided to built several mega-power plants in next 10 years to meet the growing demand.

Meanwhile, Goa will shortly shortlist consultants who responded for the expression of interest floated by the government for setting up of four mini-hydel power projects in the island state as suggested by the National Hydro Power Corporation.

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