No progress in power projects

By VINODHINI

New Delhi

Sept. 8: Even as Tamil Nadu sweats under the power crisis, the state government has been dragging its feet on the two 4000 MW Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMPP) proposed by the Centre through Public-Private partnership in 2006. For many reasons, the project has not yet taken off even though states like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh have already made headway.

The Union government in 2006 announced UMPP to meet increasing demand of power as a part of the eleventh five year plan (2007-2011). Under the plan, Centre will facilitate availability of coal and obtain necessary clearances, state governments will identify and acquire the appropriate lands. Tenders from private companies will be invited who will build own and operate the power plants.

Two such projects were approved for Tamil Nadu. Accordingly, the state government zeroed in on Cheyyur in Kancheepuram and Marakkanam.

The central team approved Cheyyur due to availability of land, water (due to proximity to sea) and the possibility of setting up a captive port for transportation of coal.

The team rejected the Marakkanam project as it was 25 km away from the coast creating transportation difficulties. But the state government in 2007 gave up the idea of a power project in Cheyyur citing "high land prices".

The idea then went into a lull until the recent power crisis hit the nation.

The Union power ministry has reportedly rapped the state governments which have not made any progress in setting up of UMPPs.

"States have been demanding more power but the only long-term solution is setting up of UMPPs," sources in the union power ministry said.