Odisha urges PFC to get DRDO nod for UMPP site

The state energy department has urged Power Finance Corporation (PFC) to obtain no objection certificate from the Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO) for setting up the coastal Ultra Mega Power Plant (UMPP) at Bijayapatna under Chandbali tehsil in Bhadrak district.

The site has been zeroed in for the second UMPP in the state after field visits by PFC officials.

PFC, the nodal agency for implementation of UMPPs, had also identified a few sites in Bolangir and Kalahandi districts for establishment of the third UMPP. Each of these UMPPs would have a capacity of 4,000 MW and are being taken up at an estimated investment of Rs 20,000 crore.

Meanwhile, the bidding process for the first UMPP proposed at Bhedabahal in Sundergarh district has already begun. This UMPP needs 3,100 acres of land and PFC has formed a fully owned subsidiary - Odisha Integrated Power Limited for executing this project. This UMPP would inject 1,300 MW to the state grid.

Water for this UMPP has been allocated from the Ib river and check dams and barrages would be put up on the river for this purpose. It may be noted that Meenakshi, Meenakshi-B and Dipside Meenakshi coal blocks have been alloted for the UMPP with a total reserve of 880 million tonnes.

Two other subsidiaries- Sakhigopal Integrated Power Company Ltd and Ghogarpalli Integrated Power Company Ltd have also been formed by PFC for executing the other two UMPPs. The second the third UMPPs would contribute 2,000 MW each to the state grid.

The state Chief Secretary B K Patnaik has advised the PFC officials to set aside ayacut land for UMPPs and ensure that there is minimal displacement from these mega power stations. Moreover, he has stressed that the ash pond for such power plants need to be located far away from areas of human habitations.