By: T. Karnakar Reddy
To put an end to power woes of Telangana, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has decided to establish 7,500 MW thermal power generation plant near Veerlapalem village limits of Damarcherla mandal in Nalgonda district by investing Rs. 53,000 crore.
The State government would invest Rs. 6 crore for each MW production.
Besides, the Chief Minister also wanted to construct a mega township here which would accommodate about 20,000 people. The initiative would generate employment for 30,000 people in the area, directly and indirectly.
The project also includes construction of a multi-speciality hospital and a school for the employees in the township.
The Chief Minister along with officials and public representatives conducted an aerial survey to examine the government land available along the Krishna bank in Damarcherla mandal and Mattampally mandal in district on Tuesday.
Speaking to The Hindu, Bhongir Member of Parliament Boora Narsaiah Goud, who also accompanied the Chief Minister, said that the Chief Minister has identified some 6,000 acres land near Veerlapalem village to fulfill his dream of making the State a surplus power producing one within three years.
Mr. Goud further said that they have chosen Damarcherla area as water is available here round-the-year as it is situated between Nagajrunasagar and Pulichintala reservoirs.
Apart from this, he said that the place is located very close to State High-2 and also has railway connectivity, which would help it to get coal from NTPC units located in various parts of Telangana.
In case if they want to import coal from foreign countries, Mr. Goud said that Machilipatnam and Krishnpatanam ports are located just 130 km. and 180 km. away respectively from Veerlapalem.
Mr. Goud informed that the district administration would start survey of land in couple of days to prepare a detailed project report. The State government is working to get some funds from the Power Grid Corporation of India and rural electrification corporation to complete the mega project within three years.
Since the thermal power generation is cheapest and the State also has enough resources, Mr. Goud said that the Chief Minister has decided to establish a thermal power plant.
Power plant at Peddavedu on cards
Meanwhile, the government is also contemplating setting up of 2,200 MW thermal power plant at Peddavedu village of Mattampally mandal in the district.
While the district has 2.30 lakh acres of government lands, the two mandals located on the banks of Krishna river – Mattampally and Damarcherla – have 35,000 acres of land.
The Bhongir Member of Parliament said that the Centre had announced to fund 4,000 MW thermal power plant in Telangana during the division of Andhra Pradesh. As part of that, he said the NTPC Limited has already decided to construct 1,800 MW thermal power plant in Karimnagar district.
“The construction of the 2,200 project in Mattampally mandal was also discussed during the review meeting with officials after the Chief Minister’s aerial survey, he said. Since the area has all the needed resources for setting up a thermal power plant, Mr. Goud said that the Chief Minister may accord his consent to the project very soon.
Source: The Hindu