Govt. keen to restructure operations of power companies

By Our Special Correspondent

MUMBAI, JUNE 13. The Union Minister of Power, Mr. P. R. Kumaramangalam, today said that the Government has decided to disinvest Badarpur Power Plant, Delhi, in this financial year.

In fact, there would an ``out-right sale''. The ministry has already asked consultants to prepare bid document.

``Otherwise in this financial year, we are concentrating on the restructuring of the operations of other power companies,''' said Mr. Kumaramangalam addressing a press conference here.

The Centre is also asking the state governments to restructure the State Electricity Boards. ``We are not asking them to restructure any particular manner, but we need functional accountability,'' he added.

Mr. Kumaramangalam also informed that the Government has dropped the proposed merger of NTPC and NHPC.

``What we have decided now is to pump in more funds in NHPC and asked the company to go for more wider power generation,''' he added.

In the next two five year plan period, NHPC would be developing about 30,000 MW at an approximate cost of Rs. 1,80,000 crores.

In order to improve the hydrothermal mix in the country, NHPC has started working on many mega and major hydro electric projects in the country.

J&K Government has transferred five projects to NHPC for execution: Kishan Ganga 330 MW, URI-II 280 MW, Sewa-II 120 MW, Bursar 1,020 MW, Pakal Dul 1,000 MW.

All these projects will be constructed and commissioned by NHPC within a period of 7 to 8 years time at a cost of Rs. 18,000 crores.

In addition to this, NHPC has also started work for developing mega hydro projects on river Dehang and Suhansari located in Arunachal Pradesh.

The total capacity which will be developed on these locations will be 22,000 MW. It will save the oil import of at least 27 million tonnes to the country every year.

NHPC has also started development of major hydro-electric projects in Himachal Pradesh.

Round the clock work has been taken up by NHPC for developing Parbati Basin having total capacity of 2150 MW and Chamera-II with 300 MW.

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Section  : Business
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