New Thermal Project to Power-up Telangana.

National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) is gearing up to construct Telangana Stage I (2 x 800) MW project at Ramagundam.

According to sources, foundation stone for the new project will be laid in about three months.

NTPC director (operations) KK Sharma, who recently visited Ramagundam plant also dropped hints that they will begin works soon.

Once the project is commissioned, NTPC Ramagundam’s power generation capacity will be increased to 3400 MW from the existing 2600 MW. At present Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Puduchery and Goa are sharing the power generated at NTPC, Ramagundam. However, the proposed project is exclusively for Telangana.

According to Andhra Pradesh State Re-organization Act 2014, NTPC is mandated to set up a 4000 MW coal fired thermal power plant for the state and as part of this, Telangana stage-I is going to be set up.

NTPC director (operations) KK Sharma during interaction with reporters on Saturday expressed confidence that they would soon get environmental clearance.

“When we get clearance from environment and forests ministry, we will commence works and the project would be completed within three years,” he added. Central government has allotted Mandakini coal block in Odisha for the new project.

Sharma also visited Medipalli open cost project and held discussions with Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) authorities over filling of ash in the abandoned OCP mines. Medpalli OCP will expire in 2020 after excavating 16 million tones coal.

However, the state government has not yet allotted site for ash pond though it has agreed to give required land for the ash pond. NTPC officials are confident that the government would soon allot the land.

power Numbers

•The proposed project will be set up in 235 acres of land on the premises of Ramagundam

•At least 400 acres of land is required for ash pond of the new project

•NTPC can draw 6.5 TMC of water from Yellampally project located about 14 km from the proposed plant

•To generate 1600 MW power, new plant required about eight million tones of coal per year

•The proposed project cost is Rs. 9954.20 crore.


THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS