Will develop Jharkhand as a "Power hub" by 2019: Das

Appreciating the opposition parties for their constructive approach in the interest of the state, Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das today assured to develop the mineral-rich state as a "power hub" by 2019.
Das, who was in the steel city to take part in a programme to be held tomorrow, told reporters that the state government was committed to develop Jharkhand as a power hub by 2019 while improving rail and road connectivity to make the state economically self-reliant in the next five years.
A Memorandum of Understanding with NTPC will be signed in next fifteen days to set up a joint venture power plant in the adjoining land of Patratu Thermal Power Station (PTPS), the Chief Minister said.

Jharkhand Government and NTPC will invest Rs 25,000 crore in the JV power plant of 4,000 MW, he said, adding that the plant will be completed in the next four years.
Similarly, the state government would also develop Abhijeet Group of Company's power plant in Chandwa in Latehar district.
The power plant was 80 per cent completed but progress was stalled owing to coal block linkage to the company, he said, adding that discussion in this regard was recently held with the Chairman of NTPC and SBI.

Discussion was on to finalise it, he said, adding that Rs 1,000 crore including Rs 260 crore by the state government was likely to be invested in the 540 MW power plant.

A similar proposal for JV with NTPC was on the anvil for Tenughat Vidhyut Nigam Limited, he said, claiming that the state government has set target to develop Jharkhand as a power hub by 2019.
The Chief Minister appreciated the opposition parties as well as 3.50 crore population of the state for extending moral support to the government, which was committed to ensure all round development of the state.
Das said that he recently had a discussion with the Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu and urged to complete all the railway projects in the next five years.