Work at Loharinag power project begins

The Hindu, Friday, Feb 20, 2004

DEHRA DUN, FEB. 19 .The Uttaranchal Chief Minister, Narain Dutt Tiwari, inaugurated the infrastructure development works of the 600 MW Loharinag- Pala Hydro Power Generation Project in Uttarakashi district today. The Rs 3000 crore run- of- the- river power project on the Bhagirathi, being executed by the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), is expected to be completed by 2009. Expressing confidence in the expertise of the NTPC, the Chief Minister said the project would generate a lot of local employment for the youth.

The Union Minister of State for Power, Jaywanti Mehta, said the Government planned to add one lakh MW of power by 2012. This would help expedite the development process in most places. She expressed happiness over the NTPC deciding to provide street light for pilgrims near Kedarnath. Presently the area has no such facility. The Minister urged the Uttaranchal Government to fully exploit the immense hydro power potential of the State.C P Jain, Chairman- cum -Managing Director of the NTPC, said that the corporation planned to add 56000 MW by 2017. Out of this 11000 MW will be hydro power. The Uttaranchal Minister of State for Power, Amrita Rawat, and senior officials were also present.