Punjab lays emphaisis on improving power scenario

Ludhiana, Oct 29 (UNI) The Punjab Government has prepared an elaborated long term power generation plan, under which 16 new power projects with 16,000 MW capacity would be executed in a phased manner.

Of these work on two thermal plants with 1500 MW capacity had already been started at Talwandi Sabo and Goindwal Sahib, Industries Minister Manoranjan Kalia disclosed while addressing a state level function organised to celebrate Parkash Utsav of Baba Vishwakarama at Guru Nanak Bhawan here today.

Mr Kalia said that to ensure fast industrial growth, the state government was undertaking a number of big projects to strengthen infrastructure facilities. Two new road corridors are being established, one from Mohali to Ropar and the other from Kapurthala to Jalandhar.

He said that to boost the Information Technology industry in state, the government had planned to set up a new IT SEZ on 100 acres of land near Kapurthala, where modern facilities will be provided for the units. The Minister also added that to ensure systemic urban development, the government had chalked out a special plan of Rs 5500 crores for providing basic amenities in all the cities of the state.

Referring to the development plans for Ludhiana city, Mr Kalia said that work on a sewerage project of Rs 250 crore had already been started. He also stated that the city will have a city bus service in the month of November, under which, eight local buses will start plying on eight routes across the city in the first phase and the service will be gradually extended to the other parts of the city.

Paying his tributes, the Minister said that Lord Vishwakarma was the founder of the craft, art, architecture and engineering on which, the growth of modern industry and other sectors was based.

On this occasion six prominent industrialists, including Mr Onkar Singh of Avon Cycles, Mr Vijay Munjal of Hero Cycles, Mr Avtar Singh of New Swan industries, Mr Sanjeev Ralson of Ralson Cycles, Mr Jaswant Singh Bhullar and Mr Charanjit Singh Dinanagar were honored for their contributions towards industrial growth.

UNI HS MMS1652