Mah CM discusses state's power problem with central leaders

Mumbai, Feb 8 (UNI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh today sought permission from the Centre to purchase electricity from any part of the country in wake of the grim power shortage in the state.

Mr Deshmukh, who is in Delhi, discussed the power situation with Union Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and put forward his demand that a time bound programme be undertaken to start unit one and three of the Ratnagiri Gas and Power Ltd in the next six months due to which the state would get additional 700 MW electricity. At present, Maharashtra gets 750 MW from unit two, he said.

Mr Shinde said the Centre has sanctioned National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) plant for generating power of 1000 MW in Mauda situated in Vidarbha region and work on the project would start soon, official sources here said.

Mr Deshmukh met Union Petroleum Minister Murli Deora yesterday and demanded additional gas for the Uran power plant. At present, there is 300 MW power generation from the project. If additional gas is made available, the state would get more 350 MW electricity.

During his meeting with Union Heavy Industries Minister Santosh Mohan Deb, he sought assistance of Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) to complete pending power generation projects at Paras and Parli.

The Chief Minister met Minister of State in the PMO Prithviraj Chavan and discussed the Central Government's assistance for Mumbai Metro, Brihanmumbai stormwater drainage project and Prime Minister's package for farmers in Vidarbha. Mr Chavan told the Chief Minister that he would persue the issues with different departments of the Central Government to ensure the projects get the neccessary financial assistance and are implemented at the earliest.

Mr Deshmukh also urged Railway Minsiter Lalu Prasad to make additional provisions for improving the railway infrastructure in Mumbai and elsewhere in the state. He demanded budgetary provisions for MUTP-II which would improve Mumbai's transportation as if the project is implemented the peak hour rush would decrease from 5000 to 3600 passengers.

UNI