The government had originally planned to establish two thermal power plants
Representational image
Hyderabad: The Telangana government has been forced to reduce power generation by 400 MW at its proposed power hub in Damarcharla mandal in Nalgonda district. The government had originally planned to establish two thermal power plants to generate 6,800 MW. Of this 4,400 MW was expected to come from a plant to be set up at Veerlapalem village by TSGENCO and 2,400 MW from a plant at Dilwarpur village to be set up by NTPC. Both villages are in Damarcherla mandal.
However, the NTPC refused to set up a plant at Damarcharla and picked Ramagundam where it already has a plant. So, TSGENCO has to set up its own plant. While submitting its report to the Centre the Telangana Energy department said that it would like to establish a sub-critical technology plant at Veerlapalem, but the Ministry of Environment and Forest objected to it stating that it would contribute more to global warming.
The MoEF suggested to go for supercritical power plants which reduce pollution by burning less coal per MW and capture the vast majority of pollutants. They also produce more power per kg of coal burnt with fewer emissions. Accordingly, TSGENCO, which initially proposed 2x600 MW and 4x800 MW sub-critical plants had to change to 5x800 MW plants. This resulted in a fall of 400 MW, Ajay Aindala, chief engineer, thermal and hydel generation, said. So, now, the Damarcharla power plant will generate only 4,000 MW.
“Initially, we would set up only a 5x800 MW plant. But we will enhance capacity by setting up more plants after some years. Our immediate focus is to complete this plant,” C. Radha Krishna, director, projects, told this newspaper.
The NTPC is yet to start work at Ramagundam on its 2,400 MW plant. The reasons for NTPC shifting to Ramagundam are primarily readily available land, water connectivity and easy coal linkage.
Talks on bifurcating power staff fail:
Talks between TS and AP over division of employees went along expected lines. Chief secretaries of AP and TS — I.Y.R. Krishna Rao and Rajiv Sharma — who met Union home secretary L.C. Goyal on Friday morning failed to arrive at a consensus on the issue. Mr Rajiv Sharma reportedly brought to the notice of MHA secretary that the case of relieving of 1,253 staff who have roots in AP, but working at Telangana utilities was pending in the Hyderabad HC. He said they would abide by the court decision.
Mr Goyal suggested a three-member panel consisting of one person each from both the states and Centre to solve the row. TS nixed the idea while AP agreed to the plan and Mr Sharma has nixed the proposal immediately. Mr Goyal felt that protracted legal tangles will not resolve the issues. To this, Mr sharma has reportedly replied that they would consider the Centres’ proposal only after the High Court’s ruling. Mr Goyal has learnt to have asked Mr Sharma how long will it take for the High Court to give its ruling, Mr Sharma replied that they expect an outcome by August 5.
“On the issue of releiving of power staff, we made out stand very clear. The matter is sub-juidice and nothing can be said at this juncture. Till the Court pronounces its judgement, we will act accordingly” D Prabhakara Rao, CMD of TS Transco and TSGENCO told this paper.
“We have told them (AP team) since we filed an appeal on the earlier direction, we did not implement it. And since they are technically releived, we have to appoint our own staff. We rejected the proposal of formation of committee consisting of power utilities since it would further delay the process and our plans in the power front” Mr Prabhakara Rao explained.
AP officials have agreed for formation of panel to resolve the issue. They have also put forward proposal to handover the bifurcation to Kamalnathan Committee which has been doing the exercise in case of other government staff.
Employees dharna:
Meanwhile, AP employees who were relieved, staged a dharna at Jantar mantar in Delhi when the meetings at North Block were going on. Cutting across party lines, several MPs from AP have turned up and expressed solidarity. The Prime Minister’s Office has also enquired on the dharna and reasons for it, according to Anuradha, convener of APJAC.
MPs including KVP Ramachandra Rao, K Rammohan Naidu, Thota Narasimham, Kottapalli Gita, Mekapati Rajamohan Reddy, YV Subba Reddy, Galla Jayadev, JD Seelam, Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy, Mithun Reddy have turned up at the venue and denounced Telangana government’s attitude.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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