Assam: Moily assures more power allocation

Assam is set to get more power from the 2,000 MW Subansiri Hydro-electric project that is under construction by the National Hydro Power Corporation at Gerukamuhk on Assam-Arunachal Pradesh boundary despite stiff resistance from anti-mega dam protestors.

Union Power Minister M Veerappa Moily on Monday assured Assam of increased allocation from 2,000MW project. Assam was earlier promised 280 MW while the state is demanding 600MW from this NHPC project.

Assam also wants its share to be increased from present 50 per cent to 100 per cent in the 750 MW Bongaigaon Thermal Power Station of NTPC.

Moily said that Assam demands for additional power will be considered. "A joint secretary is appointed to discuss the issues with those groups oppose Lower Subansari project."

The power ministry has also decided to strengthen the grid connectivity between Northeast India and other grids. This work will be completed by January 2014. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi added that state is witnessing an increase in power demand and said the state would get additional allocation of 1,000 MW.

Gogoi said that Assam will start getting power with the commissioning of ONGC's 726.6 MW Gas-Based Combined Cycle Power Project at Palatana in Tripura in first week of October this year.

"We have sought coal linkage for the proposed 500 MW power project in Margherita in Upper Assam. Assam is facing power 280 MW during peak hours and 190 MW in off peak hours. The state's peak hour demand is 1, 250 MW and off peak demands stands at 880MW." 

The chief minister added that new power projects are coming up in Lakwa, Namrup and Chandrapur.

Gogoi has also sought routing of power generated from Sikkim and Bhutan to northeastern grid. Presently this power directly goes to eastern grid.

Regarding the raging controversy over allocation of coal blocks, Moily said de-allocation of coal-mines would send confusing signals to the investors.

"Entrepreneurs will refrain from investing in India as they will fear instability in the policy regime. Prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh has suggested a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry in case of some blocks had been be involved why he will give an inquiry."

Moily argued that it was collective decision to allocate coal mines after due consultation with state government.

"The prime minister is the man of highest integrity and reformer. It is not correct to attack to Dr Singh who is recognised world leader. By sabotaging Parliament how can the Bharatiya Janata Party think of building the country?