DMICDC plans two gas-based power projects in Maharashtra

The Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor Development Corporation Ltd (DMICDC) plans to set up two 1,000 Mw gas-based power plants in Maharashtra at an investment of Rs 8,000 crore.

Maharashtra Industries Minister Rajendra Darda, who also heads Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), told Business Standard that DMICDC has proposed two projects to supply reliable and uninterrupted power supply.

A state government official, on the condition of anonymity, said MIDC would not hold any equity in these projects. DMICDC is yet to take a call on whether to develop these projects on its own or rope in a partner. In case, it goes for a strategic partner, it will hold 51 per cent or 49 per cent and the rest would be offered to the strategic partner.

DMICDC CEO and MD, Amitabh Kant, said the corporation plans to develop power projects of 6,500-7,500 Mw in six states. "Apart from Maharashtra, the DMICDC has been allotted lands in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. These projects will be of the order of 1,000 to 1,100 Mw each." The Maharashtra government has allotted 151 hectares in Indapur industrial estate near Pune and 64 hectares in Vile Bhagad industrial estate in Raigad district for the proposed projects. While the Vile Bhagad site is 10 km away from the gas pipeline being laid by state-run GAIL India, the Indapur site is 50 km away from Reliance Industries' pipeline to transport KG D6 gas.

These projects are expected to be completed in two and half years. DMICDC has already prepared site reports for the proposed projects through IL&FS Energy.

The Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) project, conceived as a global manufacturing and trading hub, is likely to double employment potential, triple industrial output and quadruple exports from the region in 5 years. The project would generate 3 million, bulk of which would be in the manufacturing and processing sectors.

DMICDC, a special purpose vehicle, was incorporated on January 7, 2008, as the project development agency for DMIC.