The prestigious NTPC-BHEL Power Projects Limited (NBPPL) at Mannavaram in Chittoor district is finally expected to start production by the fourth quarter of 2014.
After the head office was moved in October last from Noida to the worksite in Mannavaram village, 58 km from Tirupati abutting the Yerpedu-Venkatagiri highway, things started falling in place and a sizeable chunk of employees have been shifted to the plant compound.
The administrative office is abuzz with activity and the work on the fabrication unit is halfway through.
In spite of the sluggish pace of developmental work in the form of civic amenities, the management is determined to get things done by focussing on areas that are independent of public infrastructure.
While wide roads are required to bring in heavy equipment like Boilers, Turbines and Generators (BTG), the company is focussing on the Balance of Plant (BoP), including the coal handling plant, ash handling plant and water supply system.“As we are also into Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) and consultancy services, our operations are not heavily dependent on public infrastructure and we have kept the ball rolling,” Managing Director P.K. Verma told The Hindu .
He expects the project to start full-fledged by the fourth quarter of the financial year 2013-14.
He has pinned hope on the positive indications to this effect received from Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy during a recent meeting.
As the company is expecting heavy equipment to arrive, it requires wide and straight roads leading up to the plant in place of the narrow, serpentine roads.
“As the State has given its nod, the road-laying work, when expedited, can hasten up the process,” added the Director, Bhavaraju Srinivasa Rao.
The State has also promised to provide uninterrupted power and abundant water supply to the plant.
