NTPC-BHEL join hands to set up manufacturing unit in AP

Public sector giants — National Thermal Power Corporation and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited — have joined hands to set up a major power projects equipment manufacturing unit in Andhra Pradesh.        

NTPC-BHEL Power Projects Pvt Ltd, the joint venture company, incorporated last year by NTPC and BHEL,set up the green field unit with an investment of Rs 6000 crore in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh.         will

The state government has allotted 750 acres of land for the unit.        

The state cabinet, which met here today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, approved the land allocation at Mannavaram village under Srikalahasthi mandal at a nominal price of Rs 100 per acre.        

Briefing newsmen later, Minister for Information and Public Relations J Geeta Reddy said the plant would provide direct employment to 6,000 people besides indirect employment to over 25,000 persons.The state government would provide required infrastructure for the unit like water supply, power and roads as per the Industrial Investment Promotion Policy for mega projects, the minister said.        

This is a major industrial project coming up in the state after the Vizag Steel Plant. The NTPC-BHEL unit will manufacture equipment for thermal, hydro, gas and power plants, the minister added.        

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would lay the foundation-stone for the unit soon.