Thermal plants not facing crisis due to water scarcity: Pathak

Thermal power plants in Maharashtra, barring the one at Parli, are not facing any closure crisis due to water scarcity, state BJP spokesperson Vishwas Pathak said here today.
"There is adequate water supply to all the thermal power plants in the state and there is no need to worry as power generation would not be affected in the state," Pathak told reporters here during an informal chat.
To a question, Pathak said the state was planning to provide water supply to Parli from Nanded by laying a pipeline of over 120 kms, adding that it was the only possible solution to overcome the water crisis in Parli thermal power plant.

Pathak said the state was generating 16,000 MW power and had 100 MW surplus power in hand.
The state has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) for 24,000 MW and 17,000 MW was operative, he said.
The state will gradually switch to renewable energy in a phased manner, he added.

Pathak also defended agriculture solar pump procurement by the Maharashtra government and refuted allegations of purchase at a higher price as compared to Gujarat.
Replying to a question referring to media reports that the state has incurred a loss of Rs 200 crore on purchase of agriculture solar pumps, Pathak said a two-member expert team was sent to Gujarat for a factual study and found no truth in the allegations.

"Our purchases were transparent," he asserted.
On creation of Vidarbha and BJP's commitment to the cause of separate statehood, Pathak said the party will take take an appropriate decision at an appropriate time.
The time is yet to come, he said.