Dharmendra Pradhan seeks quick nod for NTPC's power project in Odisha

Pradhan pointed out that a lack of requisite clearances for such big-ticket investments even after a lapse of more than 15 months will dampen the investment climate in Odisha

Miffed with the delay in approval for NTPC's 1,320 Mw power project in Odisha, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday urged Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to intervene for its quick approval.

Power major NTPC proposed to set up an additional state-of-the-art, latest environmental norms-compliant power station of 1,320 Mw at the existing plant in Talcher.

The public sector undertaking's board on Monday approved a Rs 97.85 billion investment in the project. NTPC’s ongoing and proposed investment in the state presently stands at more than Rs 240 billion.

“The project has obtained land, water, environmental