Thermal Power Project (File Photo)
The proposed solar power project in Bihar’s Bhagalpur has now changed plans. Now, instead of the solar power plant, three thermal power plants will be installed at the same place. These three plants will be of 800 MW each. While approving these three power plants, the central government has allocated a budget of 21 thousand 400 crore rupees. The commencement of power generation from these plants will directly benefit nearly 2 crore population of Bihar. Due to supply of electricity from these power plants, Bihar will have surplus electricity and like other states, Bihar will also join the no power cut zone.
Bihar’s power ministry had earlier prepared a plan to set up a solar power project at Pirpenty at a cost of Rs 20 thousand crore, but the plan has been modified in view of the coal reserves in the area. Now, instead of solar power plant, installation of thermal power plant has been allowed at the same place. Along with this, the already decided budget of 20 thousand crore rupees for this power plant has also been increased to 21 thousand 400 crore rupees. According to Power Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav, the responsibility of setting up this project has been given to Coal India. Along with this, after the completion of the project, Coal India will also take over the operations of the power company.
1020.60 acres of land acquired
According to power ministry officials, three power plants of 800 MW each will be set up. 1020.60 acres of land has already been acquired for setting up and operating these three units, according to officials, the completion of the project will directly benefit nearly 2 crore population of Bihar. Not only this, there will be a permanent solution to the problem of power cuts in Bihar. The Bihar government has been demanding this project for a long time, which has now been approved by the central government and the budget has also been given.
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Center will spend more land on state government
Government of Bihar will bear the entire cost of land acquisition under this project. The central government will bear the cost of preparing and running this project. Bihar State Power Holding Company Limited has given approval in this regard in a letter written to the Ministry of Coal. According to Bihar government, 1020.60 acres of land has been acquired so far. About 2 thousand crore rupees have been spent on it. If required, more land will be acquired.
That’s why the project changed
According to the officials, Bhagalpur of Bihar has coal reserves especially in Peerpenty area. The Rajmahal area here is known only for coal mines. In such a situation, thermal power plants can be easily operated using the coal reserves here. Based on this, Coal India, a company of the Ministry of Coal, proposed a thermal power project here. By approving this proposal, the state and central governments have now decided to go ahead with thermal power projects instead of solar. Since Coal India Company also produces coal, the responsibility of setting up and operating thermal power projects has also been given to Coal India Company.
