Two new projects with 1600 MW to come up in NE: Razdan

Kolkata, July 31 (UNI) With a view to bringing respite to the power-starved North Eastern states, two new gas and coal-based projects would come up in Asom and Tripura respectively adding a total capacity of around 1600 MW.

The ONGC will set up a gas-based 740 MW power plant in Tripura, Union Power Secretary Anil Razdan told mediapersons here today in the ''North East Power Mart 2007''.

The NTPC, along with power utilities of Asom, would also set up an 840 MW power plant in Bongaigaon district of Asom, he said.

Speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of the programme, Asom Power Minister Pradyut Bordoloi said the state's power requirement would be 1,250 MW with an investment of Rs 5,000 crore in the next five years.

''We have a huge power shortage and we buy power from Bengal and other central power utilities,'' Mr Bordoloi said. Asom's total demand is around 850 MW and the demand would double in five years.

Presently the generation of the state is around 250 MW.

Mr Razdan said, ''Production in the 11th Plan period for the NE states would be 5,600 MW. The ongoing project, which will be completed in the coming year, would entail an investment of around Rs 50,000 crore for generation, transmission, distribution and for hydel projects.'' UNI