By Our Staff Reporter
New Delhi, 17 Jan: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami called on Union Coal and Mines Minister Pralhad Joshi, here, today. During his meeting with Joshi, the Chief Minister requested allotment of a coal block with storage capacity of about 125 million tonnes to the state of Uttarakhand on priority basis for setting up a pit-head thermal power plant of a minimum power generation capacity of 1000 MW.
During his meeting with the Union Coal and Mines Minister, the Chief Minister pointed out that, due to a favourable industrial policy, there has been rapid industrial development in the state. As a result, the demand for electricity has been continuously increasing.
Dhami reminded Joshi that, during the winter months, power shortage becomes critical since the low temperature and snowfall in the mountain reduces the flow of water in the rivers. At the same time, the demand for electricity in the state is increasing at the rate of about 4 to 5 percent every year and during the lean season there is an average shortfall of about 4 to 5 MU per day. He asserted that, due to increasing industrialisation, the demand for electricity is likely to increase further in the coming years.
The Chief Minister added that, in view of the recommendation made by the Union Energy Ministry, a joint venture (THDCIL-UJVNL Energy Company Ltd) has been established by UJVN Ltd (a state government undertaking) and THDC India Ltd for the rapid development of power projects in the state. Keeping in mind the experience of THDC India Limited in the field of thermal power generation, it has been proposed to set up a pit-head thermal power plant through this new joint venture to meet the power demands of the state. He also pointed out that Uttarakhand remains one of the few states in the country where no thermal power plant is currently operational. The Chief Minister requested the Union Minister to allocate one coal block to the state of Uttarakhand on priority basis.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi assured CM Dhami of the Centre’s cooperation in this regard.
