Govt to closely monitor thermal power projects

The government today said it will closely monitor all the coal-based thermal power projects in the country and also form a high-powered panel to assess the progress of such units.

"There will be a regular and close monitoring of all power generation projects being implemented in the country," Union Minister for Power, Sushilkumar Shinde said chairing a meeting of senior officers here today.

"A high level committee or group would be set up shortly to keep the ongoing projects on track," Shinde said.

Directing the public sector units like NHPC and NTPC to act firmly and boldly against any laxity in their organisations, he said, non-performance would not be condoned.

Further, he said that all orders for procuring equipment for future projects must be placed well in advance to avoid delays.

The meeting discussed the reasons for the delay of projects which include delay in placement orders, shortage of skilled manpower, contractual disputes, inadequate deployment of construction machinery, shortage of fuel, and problems related to land acquisition and coal linkages etc. Shinde said he would personally hold review meetings every month to monitor the progress in capacity addition.

The meeting was attended by MoS Bharatsinh Solanki, Ministry of Power Secretary (Power) HS Brahma, CEA Chairman Rakesh Nath, senior officials of the ministry besides CMDs of all the generating CPSUs.