Two new power projects to serve Meerut, Agra well

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and union Minister of State for Power Jyotiryaditya M. Scindia Saturday dedicated the 765 kv single-circuit Agra-Meerut transmission line and laid the foundation-stone of the 6,000 MW HBDC transmission line of the Power Grid Corporation of India at Shamshabad town, 30 km from here.

Speaking on the occasion, Yadav outlined the importance of power for development and industrial growth, and said that areas that were industrially advanced also had adequate power supply.

The Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh, the chief minister said, was focusing on speedy development of the energy sector. He hoped the power situation not only in Agra, but across the state would qualitatively improve with these two projects.

Agra and Meerut will now be able to meet an increased demand for power.

Jyotiraditya Scindia said the new projects were a link between the past and the future. India is developing fast, and the foundation of progress is based on energy supply, he said.

From 55,000 mw energy production in the 11th Five Year Plan, we have increased the target in the 12th Five Year Plan to 2,26,000 mw, he said.

Last year too, an additional generation of 20,000 mw was achieved, the minister of state for power said, adding that the grid system tied the states and cities into a common link.

The present inter-state transmission of 3,1850 mw will be increased to 65,550 mw in the 12th Plan, he said.

Scindia said the 765 kv single circuit Agra-Meerut line will ease pressure on Delhi and Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan.

Through the 6,000 mw HVDC transmission line from Bhutan and the north-east hydel projects, load centres in the northern region will have additional power availability, the minister said. This would also be one of the longest transmission lines in the world.