NTPC puts Katwa power plant on fast track

The country’s largest power generating company, NTPC Ltd has put Rs. 8, 000 crore thermal power project at Katwa, West Bengal on fast track category.

“We have put this (Katwa) West Bengal project in fast track. We are hopeful to complete the project on time,” NTPC chairman and managing director Arup Roy Chowdhury told PTI.

“We are trying to make this 1320 MW power project as a model plant,” he said. Mr. Roy Chowdhury’s review visit at Katwa gives a clear indication of the importance accorded to this project .

Last June, he had met Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to give a boost to the land acquisition process. Asked about the environmental clearance for the project, Mr. Roy Chowdhury said, “As the statutory time-limit has crossed since the same was submitted by the erstwhile owner West Bengal Power Development Corporation, we have to submit the application afresh.”

“This is just a regulatory requirement,” he said.

NTPC was expecting top award for the EPC contract in the next quarter. South Korean power equipment supplier Doosan Corporation was the lowest bidder. South Korean power equipment supplier Doosan Corporation has emerged the lowest bidder for a composite boiler-turbine-generator package.