WE SAID AND WE DID, PUNJAB WOULD BE POWER SURPLUS STATE IN 2013 - SUKHBIR

• TALWANDI SABO THERMAL PLANT TO BE INAUGURATED ON BAISAKHI 2013, GOINDWAL PLANT IN MARCH 2013  AND RAJPURA ON DECEMBER 15, 2013. 

• NEXT 4 YEARS WOULD WITNESS TOTAL TRANSFORMATION OF  PUNJAB. 

Rajpura, September 19: The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today expressed satisfaction that with the blessings of Almighty he would be able to fulfill the major promise of making state power surplus in 2013. Inspecting the progress of construction at all three major plants at Talwandi Sabo, Goindwal Sahib and Rapura, Mr. Badal fixed the inaugural dates of all the three thermal plants in year 2013. Talwandi Sabo Power Ltd. would inaugurate its first unit on Baisakhi, 2013, second unit in August 2013, third unit in December 2013. Similarly, Goindwal Thermal Plant would inaugurate its first unit in March 2013 and 2nd unit in May 2013 and Rajpura Thermal Plant being constructed by L&T would inaugurate its first unit on December 15, 2013 and 2nd unit on Baisakhi 2014. Mr. Badal said that Punjab would be the 1st state in country to add 3920 MW with combined cost of Rs.22000 crore in a single year.

MR SUKHBIR SINGH BADAL INSPECTING THE RAJPURA THERMAL PLANT

Earlier the Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal reached Rajpura Thermal Plant site in the evening to personally monitor the progress of 1400 MW Rajpura Thermal Plant being constructed by L&T at the cost of Rs. 8000 crore. Accompanied by Power Secretary Mr. Anirudh Tiwari and Chairman Powercom Mr. K.D. Chaudhary, Mr. Badal reached the project site to personally inspect the progress.

          Mr. Opinder Singh, CEO of the plant informed the Deputy Chief Minister that 62.77% of the plant execution has been completed and work on railway lining is in advanced stage of completion. He said that Pile Foundations, Switch yard foundations, Control Room Building, STG Building, Raw Water reservoir excavation/embankment works of the plant have been fully completed whereas the construction of Ash Dyke, Ash Silo, Coal Handling Plant, Railway Siding, Boiler erection, Clarified Water pipes laying, Bunkers, Plant Roads, RCC water system, Service Building, Chimney, DCT, Mill bay, Electrostatic Precipitator was under advanced stage of completion. 

He said that Punjab State Transmission Corporation Limited shall erect 400KV Rajpura-Nakodar, 400KV Kanodar-Dhuri, 400KV Rajpura-Dhuri Transmission lines for evacuation of power. He ensured the Deputy CM that plant would be functional by the end of November 15, 2013.

          Speaking about the expansion plan of the project the GM informed that the Company has already signed a MoU with the Government for setting up an additional 700 MW capacity plant at the cost of Rs. 3800 crore. He said that with the expansion of plant, this plant would produce 2100 MW power and the plant would have combined cost of Rs. 8700 crore.

Expressing satisfaction over the construction of the project, Mr. Badal asked Secretary Power and Chairman Powercom to weekly monitor the progress of the project. He said that it was imperative for the project authority to stick to the schedule of the construction and any delay would not be tolerated.

Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal inspecting the construction works of Talwandi Sabo Power Plant

Later interacting with media Mr. Badal said that I don’t enter into an arguments with my critics but I prove myself by fulfilling my promises on schedule. When asked about delay in NTPC and Mukerian thermal plant Mr. Badal said that clearance were being blocked by union government and delay was on their part. When asked about any possibility of nuclear plant in state Mr. Badal said that he was against it. On a question regarding FDI in retail Mr. Badal said that union government has opened the Pandora box of FDI just to distract the public attention from coal scam. He said that abrupt unilateral announcement was not acceptable as for such a vital issue union government should have taken in confidence all stake holders including farmers and traders before announcing it. When asked about withdrawal of support by Mamta to UPA, Mr. Badal quipped at UPA was in ICU and we can expect itsend any moment. He said that Akali Dal was fully prepared for early elections. On a query regarding emerging 3rd front Mr. Badal said that only NDA would replace UPA in next elections.

          Mr. Badal announced that next 4 yrs would be era of economic resurgence with all cities linked with 4/6 lane roads and Rs.8725 crore investment on urban development besides Rs.10000 crore on rural development Mr. Badal ridiculed the proposal of congress ruled states to increase the cylinders from 6 to 9 at state’s expenses and said that let centre increase Punjab’s share in taxes from 1.32% to minimum 20%, we will provide all the 12 cylinder at subsidized rates.

Prominent amongst Mr. Prem Singh Chandumajra, General secretary, SAD, Mr Raj Khurran former minister.