N-E to generate 4261 MW additional power: Shinde
-
04/04/2008
-
Indian Express (New Delhi)
Over 4,261 MW of power would be generated in the Northeastern region during the 11th Plan period in order to meet the increasing power requirements of the eight states, Union Power Minister SushilKumar Shinde announced here on Friday. Four major power projects that are likely to be completed during the Plan period include Lower Subansiri hydel project (2000 MW), Kameng hydel project (2000 MW), Bongaigaon thermal power station (750 MW) and Tripura gas-based project (750 MW), the minister said. He was inaugurating a two-day national conclave on accelerated development of the power sector in the Northeast. Shinde said the increased output was also likely to create a situation of power surplus in the region, in the event of which the surplus power would be wheeled to deficit areas like the northern and western regions of the country. The minister, however, admitted that insurgency and lack of proper infrastructure were working as major deterrents towards speedy completion of ongoing power projects in the region, while investors, too, were shying away. "Industry representatives have often complained during various meetings and conferences about lack of security as well as infrastructure in the Northeast. Insurgency and absence of good infrastructure are no doubt major problems in the region, but the situation is fast improving,' Shinde said later. The Northeastern region now has an installed capacity of 2561 MW. But this is far from adequate, with peak deficit hovering around 20 per cent on any given day, he pointed out. "The region has to develop its infrastructures to overcome this shortage. Road, bridge, rail network, transmission systems and also human resource development will require special attention,' Shinde said.