GMR power unit work to start by September

GMR Energy Limited plans to start the construction work of its 1200 Mw power plant in Chhattisgarh from September.

“We are planning to complete the land acquisition for the project (in Raikheda of Raipur district) in the current fiscal to start the construction work from September this year so as to commission the plant by 2012-13,” company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Raaj Kumar said here today. The company would be requiring 1300 acres of land for the project.

The company has 115 acres of land in its possession and will have to acquire rest of the land from the villagers, who have earlier lodged strong protest against the project. About 60 per cent land belongs to private parties while remaining 40 per cent is owned by the government.

“The villagers had gathered for the public hearing in large number to seek clarification about the project,” Raaj Kumar said, adding that clarification should not be taken as opposition. The company as per its policy would give best of the rehabilitation package to the villagers, he added.

The process of awarding contract for the Chhattisgarh power project is in progress and the company’s first preference is to give the job to Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Raaj Kumar said.

Replying to a query why the company has selected a site that does not have coal and water availability, the CEO of the GMR Energy Limited said that the proposed place for the power plant had many advantages also. A large number of cement plants located in the area for ash consumption and nearby facility of power evacuation are some of the advantages, he added.

The Vice President of GMR Chhattisgarh Energy Pvt Limited, Anil Kumar Jain informed that 35 per cent of the power produced would be reserved for Chhattisgarh state.