By: N. Rahul
Telangana will be a power surplus State by the first quarter of 2018 generating 24,000 MW power, said Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao. Speaking after laying foundation stone for a 1,080 MW power project here on Saturday, Mr. Rao said energy from all sources – solar, hydel and thermal – will be used to achieve power-surplus status.
On the occasion, he unveiled a pylon. The project, estimated to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 5,000 crore, is expected to be commissioned in the next three years.
Appealing to industrialists to invest in the State, the Chief Minister assured them that there was nothing to fear on the power front as the government was spending Rs. One lakh crore in the sector.
Talking about the projects proposed by the State government, Mr. Rao said an 800-MW unit would come up at Kothagudem thermal power station, SCCL’s new power plant, and another unit of 600 MW at Bhoopalpalli in Warangal district. He said for the first time, there was no power cuts during the beginning of summer here.
“Last year, there were power holidays for industry. Many entrepreneurs staged dharnas. But this time around, there is no such problem,” he said.
Referring to the development plans for Bhadrachalam, the Chief Minister said he would spell out a detailed plan in his next visit scheduled for next week. Stating that Etapaka and Purushotamapuram villages were merged with Andhra Pradesh State though it was uncalled for, he said he would take up the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and AP Chief Minister.
“Bhadrachalam is a popular pilgrimage centre. We will develop this into a tourist destination on the lines of Yadadri for which we will soon come out with a comprehensive plan,” Mr. Rao said.
R&B Minister Thummala Nageswar Rao, Energy Minister G. Jagdish Reddy and others were present.
Source: The Hindu