Eco clearances to delay projects in Telangana

 

 

“In the first phase, NTPC will set up two 800 MW power plants at its plant at Ramagundam in Telangana. Since the land is available at the existing plant, the commissioning of the first of two 800 MW plants will happen after four years and six months from the date of commencement of its construction and the second one will happen after eight months,” the source explained.

 

The rest of 2,400 MW capacity will come up as three units of 800 MW plants. “Telangana is planning to resume around 1,200 acres land allocated to BPL for a proposed 600 MW power plant in 1994 near Ramagundam. The same land is expected to alloted to NTPC for setting up three units of 800 MW plants, which will be  commissioned nearly five years after handing over of the land to the power company.”

 

Though the land is available for 1,600 MW plant with NTPC, the resumption of land from BPL could take some time as the private power producer has challenged the government’s decision in the Hyderabad High Court in July 2014.

 

According to an expert in the power sector, NTPC needs to take environmental clearances for both sites, which will take at least 18 to 24 months. “If we add the time required for clearances and construction, it will take six years for the power generation to begin from these plants,” he said.