Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao is keen that the 4000 mw Damaracharla Ultra Mega Power Project is developed on a fast track mode keeping in view the likely increase in demand over the next few years.

Handing over a cheque of Rs 417.16 crore towards part payment for the Rs 20,379 crore project to BHEL Chairman and Managaing Director Atul Sobti, here today, he called upon BHEL, the contractor for the power project, to expedite the project implementation.

During his interaction with a team of officials headed by BHEL, the Chief minister asked them to expedite not just Damaracharla but other projects which BHEL is handling in the State.

During the interaction, Rao said for transparency and timely completion of the power plants, the works have been entrusted to the Public Sector Company BHEL. To uphold the State Government’s faith being reposed in BHEL, the power plants works should be completed on a fast track mode meeting all quality standards.

For the Yadadri plant, the land required for the plant has been acquired and all the permission including the mandatory environmental clearance have been accorded.

Therefore, there is no hindrance for project works to be expedited and completed ahead of schedule, he said.

“We have decided to give 24-hour power supply to farmers from the next March. Construction on the Lift Irrigation Schemes is going on. Several new industries are coming up. Need for power in other sectors is also growing up. By next year, Telangana will need an additional 3,500 Mws.”

“In this backdrop, we have embarked on major construction of major power plants. Of all the plants, Yadadri plant is very important. Work on the 5 x 800 MW plants should be taken up simultaneously and to be completed within three years,” the CM instructed.

OTHER PROJECTS ON TRACK

During the discussions held today on the new power plants, D Prabhakar Rao, TS Genco CMD, told the CM that the works on the 800 MW Kothagudem plant will be completed in three months while Manuguru plant will be completed by next year.