Asom to get its first mega power poject

Guwahati, July 5 (UNI) Asom Power Minister Pradyut Bordoloi today announced that the first mega thermal power project in the North East will be set up in the state soon.

Two more coal-based power projects of 150 MW each on Private Public Partnership (PPP) mode will be set up at Borgholai in Tinsukia district and Badarpur in Barak Valley soon, he informed.

Talking to reporters here, Mr Bordoloi also announced the decision to increase the capacity of Bongaigaon Thermal Power Station (BTPS) to 750 MW from 500 MW.

He said, ''In a meeting with the NTPC CMD and its technical staff, Union Power secretary and the Union Power Minister, it was decided to increase the capacity of the plant.'' The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) are setting up the plant, the foundation stone of which was laid by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Mr Bordoloi informed that the state government has asked for 500 MW free power from the BTPS when it is commissioned in 2010, though free power supply to the home state is not mandatory for the NTPC.

Laying stress on the need to lessen the state's dependence on hydel power projects, the Minister said, ''Our dependence on hydel projects for 85 per cent of our power requirements makes us face acute crisis during the lean season. There is no balancing of power generation throughout the year.'' He expressed confidence that Asom would be self-sufficient in power generation within a decade.

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