Krishnapatnam UMPP likely to kick off by April-end

New Delhi, Feb 15 (UNI) The proposed 4,000 megawatt ultra mega power project at Krishnapatnam in Andhra Pradesh is likely to take off by the end of April, Central Electricity Authority Chairman Rakesh Nath said today.

''We have already issued RFQs (Request for Quotes). Based on the RFQs, about 10 to 13 bids have qualified to make the final technical and price bids for the project. The final decision on the price bids will be taken by April-end,'' Mr Nath told reporters here.

Earlier, the project was expected to be allotted by the end of the current fiscal. Elaborating on the delay, Mr Nath said, ''Some steps like environmental studies have to be carried out and clearances are to be obtained. We cannot invite bids till these are done.'' Power Finance Corporation (PFC), the nodal agency for development of ultra mega power projects (UMPPs) in the country, had earlier announced that after the allotment of two UMPPs at Sasan in Madhya Pradesh and Mundra in Gujarat, four new such projects will come up in 2007.

Besides Krishnapatnam, one project each is proposed at Tilaya in Jharkhand and Cheyyur in Tamil Nadu.

Mr Nath said, ''For the Cheyyur project, site has been identified and the Tamil Nadu Government is undertaking port feasibilty study to develop a port to handle coal.'' The study is expected to be completed by the end of this month, he added.

There are plans to develop UMPPs in Maharashtra and Karnataka but certain local issues have to be solved for these projects, Mr Nath said.

UNI