Dabhol power generation to be delayed due to Gujarat

Mumbai, Apr 30 (UNI) Maharashtra Energy Minister Dilip Valse-Patil today said the laying of 12 km section of gas pipeline near Surat in Gujarat has been held up for want of permission from Gujarat government and this would delay the commissioning of Dabhol power plant.

Mr Patil told reporters that Maharashtra is facing power shortage of 6,000 MW and in this situation the State can get power only from Dabhol.

He said as per the time-frame, the pipeline should have been completed by March 31 enabling Maharashtra to get 1,400 MW from block 2 and 3 of the project. But since the pipeline work was held up by Gujarat government, the starting of block 2, 3 and 1 has been delayed, which otherwise would have generated 2,100 MW power by December-end this year.

He said Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar personally met Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and BJP leaders and State President Nitin Gadkari to discuss the matter.

Mr Patil said despite all efforts, on April 21 Surat District Collector had ordered the seizure of equipments of Gas Authorities of India Ltd (GAIL), which they had brought to lay the pipeline.

He said, in this situation Gujarat government should make all efforts to clear the problem within three to four days. If Gujarat has any issues with the Centre then it should not be linked with the pipeline project.

It has been receiving gas from Bombay High for the past 30 years and both Maharashtra and Gujarat share good relations.

UNI