NTPC hopeful of starting Katwa thermal project in few months

Power major NTPC has expressed the hope that construction of the 1,320-Mw Katwa thermal power plant in the state would begin construction in a few months.

NTPC Chairman Arup Roychowdhury, who met state's power minister Manish Gupta today, indicated that the company hoped to get the board's nod for the project by February-March.

Gupta, who described the meeting as a courtesy call, said that NTPC assured to begin construction of the plant soon.

Coal linkage was one of the issues before the power major. The captive coal block meant for the project was deallocated by the coal ministry. The state power department would place a proposal to offer coal linkage from its captive blocks before the Cabinet for its consideration in February, Gupta said.

NTPC proposed to construct two thermal units of 660 Mw on 557 acres which it has in its possession. NTPC has also received positive feedback from land owners for 150 acres it required for the ash pond.

A few months ago, NTPC had said that unless 150 acres was not arranged by the state government it was not possible to go ahead with the project.