Ghatampur power project: foundation laid for the third time

Kanpur: If some one is looking for an example of projects which are yet to become operational but for which foundation stone was laid eight years ago , Ghatampur power plant in this district in Uttar Pradesh, is one. He may be more shocked to know that the foundation was re-laid twice more-- for the second time in 2012 and third in 2016 ( on October 20).

The plant which would have become operational four years ago is now scheduled to go on stream in 2020, And the cost has gone up many times due to increase in material cost and cost of equipments. The project is to cost Rs 1700 crores as per the current estimate. It will go up if there is further delay.

Union energy minister Piyus Goyal who laid the foundation for the third time on Thursday, however, promised that the new target would not be missed . But the project may be further delayed if full compensation for farmers’ land is not paid soon.

When completed plant will meet the power demand of a large number of villages in the district and surrounding areas. It is a joint project of Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd and Uttar Pradesh Power Ltd. For coal supply the project has been linked to Pachwara south coal block in Jharkhand district.