Rane for 500 mw thermal power and mini hydel projects in Goa

Panaji, June 3 (UNI) Chief Minister Pratapsinh Rane today made a strong plea for the setting up of a 500 mw thermal power plant with imported low ash coal and mini-hydel projects to make Goa self-reliant in power sector.

''This will make Goa a hub for the industrial growth and tourism development,'' he said in presence of union power minister Sushil Kumar Shinde who dedicated state-of-the-art Goa State Load Dispatrch Centre here today.

When a state like Delhi is running Indraprastha thermal power plant with low ash content coal, why not Goa to meet its increasing power requirements, he said.

The environmental groups should not grouse as imported coal with low ash content would be used. This in turn would promote hinterland tourism besides river transportation.

''Goa can become super Singapore if develop imports and exports and this require enough power. We are at present running short of about 65 mw of power in the peak hour,'' he said.

He also made out a case for 60 crore rupees central assistance for laying high tension underground cables in coastal belt so that power becomes stable even in cyclonic weather conditions.

Power minister Digambar Kamat said north Goa suffered the most in the recent cyclonic weather when several trees and 200 power lines and poles were uprooted where 120 km high tension line was disrupted.

The power, however, could be restored in a few days with the state department staff working round the clock. Similar incidents could be mitigated if the coastal belt had underground cabling system, he added.

Prominent among those who promised all assistance to Goa included Power Grid Corporation of India Limited CMD Mr R P Singh and union Power Secretary Mr R V Sahi.

They said diversification of the activities of the NTPC and the PGCL into distribution line had resulted in earning considerable revenue.

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