"Telangana Accelerates Establishment of Bhadradri and Yadadri Thermal Power Stations"

The Telangana State Power Generation Corporation (Genco) is intensifying efforts to accelerate the establishment of the Yadadri thermal power stations, with capacities of 1,080 MW and 4,000 ultra-mega MW, amidst challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and labor shortages.

The nationwide lockdown and subsequent movement restrictions have disrupted project timelines, particularly impacting the availability of migrant workers crucial for construction activities. To mitigate these challenges, Genco is devising strategies to ensure the timely completion of the projects.

The implementation of the Bhadradri project, entrusted to state-owned Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) as the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor, has encountered setbacks due to the departure of migrant workers. As a consequence, the scheduled commissioning of two units by the end of May has been affected, although efforts are underway to mitigate delays and meet the end-of-year commissioning targets for the remaining units.

Chairman of TS Transco and TS Genco, D Prabhakar Rao, has conducted a comprehensive review of the project's progress, urging BHEL to ramp up manpower and undertake parallel construction activities to adhere to the stipulated timelines.

Ensuring the timely completion of these power projects is crucial for Telangana, given the anticipated surge in power demand, driven by agricultural activities such as kharif sowing and irrigation operations. With over 25 lakh bore wells and numerous power-intensive lift irrigation schemes, including the expansive Kaleshwaram project, the state's agricultural sector heavily relies on uninterrupted power supply.

However, the pandemic-induced labor shortage poses a significant challenge, as migrant workers, essential for executing large-scale projects, face difficulties in returning to work sites. Despite these hurdles, Telangana remains committed to expediting the projects to bolster its power infrastructure and meet the burgeoning energy demands of its agricultural and industrial sectors.

HBL