NAGPUR, December 22: The Western region of the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) here is expected to save over Rs 300 crore by commissioning the first phase of its expansion programme at Vindhyachal Super Thermal Station in Madhya Pradesh nearly a year ahead of schedule.Speaking to The Indian Express, H L Bajaj, executive director of NTPC, Western region, said the first unit of 500 MW in the first phase of the expansion programme at Vindhyachal would be commissioned in February 1999, about a year before its scheduled start.This is part of NTPC's plan to set up two additional units of 500 MW each at the Vindhyachal project which has an existing capacity of 1260 MW. "Commissioning the first unit ahead of schedule will help us to save Rs 300 crore by way of interest on finance for the project," he explained.According to him, over 3,000 additional work force are working round the clock to expedite the project. If NTPC succeeds in commissioning the 500 MW unit before the scheduled period, it will be the first to do so.The project is facing problems due to bad communications in Vindhyachal.The NTPC senior executive said that Rajendra Singh, the chairman-cum- managing director, was personally supervising the work to ensure that it sets an example by commissioning a unit in the shortest period.Bajaj also said that NTPC has launched an ambitious expansion programme to add over 6,300 MW to the existing total installed capacity of 4,700 MW at its power projects. The premier power generating company is expected to invest around Rs 15,000 crore for its proposed expansion programme.The programme includes setting up a new thermal power project at Sipat in Madhya Pradesh, having four units of 500 MW each in the first phase and two units of 500 MW each in the second. The programme covers setting up of an additional unit of 500 MW at the Korba project, having an installed capacity of 2100 MW. Plans are also on to set up an additional gas based unit of 650 MW each in Gujarat at Kawas and Gandhar.Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Goa, Daman, Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli will gain from the project. Says Bajaj, Maharashtra is expected to receive over 30 per cent power, although none of the proposed units are being set up in the state.
