Dhumal asks NTPC to complete Kol Dam project in time

Shimla, Jul 16 (UNI) Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal has directed the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) to complete the construction work of the 800MW Kol Dam Hydro Electric Project in the targeted period.

He also asked NTPC to adopt Jawahar Lal Nehru Government Engineering College, Sundernagar.

He was interacting with the visiting Chairman-cum-Managing Director of NTPC R S Sharma here today.

The Chief Minister said that Kol Dam was one of the prestigious hydro electric project under execution in the state and the work needed to be expedited so that it was completed well before the targeted date.

The Chief Minister said that every power project executing authority was required to closely associate itself with the local developmental and social welfare activities. He said that by doing so the authorities would win the trust of the people and strengthen the bond of mutual understanding which was bound to benefit the companys.

He said that the condition of free power and amount to be spent on local area development was mandatory and there would not be any laxity in the same. He said that beside other concessions the local people needed to be given preference in terms of employment.

He said that good rehabilitation package was also required to be extended to every stake holder who had given their ancestral possessions to pave the way for the construction of the project.

Prof Dhumal said that there were few clearances and modalities yet to be obtained and completed by the NTPC which needed to be accorded top priority so that the project work did not suffer. He said that agreement entered into between the NTPC and Himachal Pradesh Government would be required to be adhered to in letter and spirit.

He said that each and every condition mentioned in the agrement needed to be fulfilled. He said that the state had adopted New Power Policy which contained elaborate provisions for the mutual benefit of the IPPs and the stake holders.

The Chief Minister assured the NTPC authorities of the cooperation of the state government. He said that the state government had already made its intention clear with regard to allotment of big hydro electric projects and it would consider the request of NTPC to allot more projects to the company.

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