APGENCO to solve power problem

Rajahmundry, Nov 5 (UNI) Union Minister of State for Coal Dasari Narayana Rao today said that two blocks for Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Company (APGENCO) was given for the first time and linkage to Kothagudem phase IV was arrranged.

Talking to newspersons here, he said five new blocks would also be provided to APGENCO, which would enable the State Government to wipe out power shortage in the state in the coming four or five years.

Mr Rao said coal production per annum was 360 million tonnes and ws importing 24 million tonnes from other countries. No industry would be closed because of coal supply, he added.

During the NDA Government 29-thermal power stations were in critical position and supposed to be closed down. Soon after the UPA Government took over the reigns of power, all the 28 stations were revived with coal supply and only one is left for want of transportation of coal.

He said all the power stations were having surplus coal. The Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was reviewing every fortnight through energy power secuirty committee which is yielding good results.

Mr Rao said Kotipalli-Narsapur would be included in the coming budget. The Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav had promised to take it up in the coming budget.

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