In the backdrop of Telangana facing a severe power crisis, the fate of the proposed 600 MW BPL (British Physical Laboratories group) power plant in the Ramagundam coal belt region hangs in balance.
During the mid-90s, the then government had accorded all sanctions for BPL to set up a power plant in the coal belt region. BPL had decided to generate 600 MWs of 2X300 capacity in the first phase and another 600 MWs in the second phase. The company had acquired 1,200-odd acres of land, including 575 acres of government land.
The promoters had conducted all the formalities of tests for the installation of turbines, boilers and construction of chimneys for the proposed power plant. It had also conducted public hearing and secured all clearances such as environment, Pollution Control Board, etc.
However, the project was shelved as the government had not issued No objection certificate (NOC) over the firm reportedly quoting high power purchase agreement (PPA) with the State Government. Even the successive State governments had also neglected the issue of reviving the PPA with the BPL, thus forcing the shelving of the project.
In the meantime, the State government had resumed the land allocated to the BPL stating that it had not completed the project as per the norms after allocation of the land. BPL representatives approached the court stating that they were not given NOC for starting the power plant in spite of all clearances, including coal linkage, environment, water allocation, etc.
Sources said that BPL was demanding the government to provide them with necessary NOC so that they would generate power from the proposed power station within 23 months as they have all the designs to start the work immediately. “BPL has taken all measures for the commissioning of the project. But, due to the delay in PPAs and issuance of NOC, the project was delayed.
They are ready to generate power within 23 months if the government allocates permission to them,” said the revenue sources. They had invested a huge amount for acquiring land, conduct of various surveys and tests and clearances. They had also laid foundation stones for the boiler and turbine works at the proposed site and also constructed compound wall, they added.
