NTPC's Gajamara project on backburner on coal unavailability

No power purchase agreement (PPA) could be firmed up on lack of availability

The 1600-MW super thermal power project proposed by NTPC at Gajamara in Dhenkanal district is stuck over unavailability of coal.

The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) had planned such projects at Darlipalli (in Sundargarh district) and Gajamara at the same time. While the Darlipalli project has made considerable progress, the one at Gajamara has stumbled in the absence of coal linkage.

“There is no assured coal block or linkage yet for the Gajamara project. Hence, no power purchase agreement (PPA) could be firmed up. Unavailability of coal has impeded the progress of the project’’, said Arvind Kumar, regional executive director (eastern region II), NTPC Ltd.

Kumar added that construction work on the Darlipalli super thermal power project was going on in full swing. The project estimated to cost Rs 13,000 crore, is expected to be commissioned by 2018. NTPC is also setting up a medical college and hospital at a cost of Rs 417 crore linked to the Darlipalli project. The project would draw coal from the 

Dulanga block allocated to the Maharatna PSU. NTPC hopes to commence mining from this coal block after obtaining all the clearances, said Kumar.

Presently, NTPC has an installed capacity of 3720 MW in the eastern region II. Odisha has a share of 1576 MW from NTPC power stations located within and outside the state. 

Power plants under Eastern Region II include Talcher Thermal Power Station (460 MW), Talcher Super Thermal Power Station- Kaniha (3000 MW), 10 MW solar power plant at Kaniha and one unit of 250 MW at Bongaigaon (Assam).