Sukhbir’s aim — power surplus Punjab
Chander Parkash & Kulwinder Sandhu
Tribune News Service

Gurdaspur, January 9
To make Punjab a power surplus state is on the development agenda unfolded by president of the SAD Sukhbir Singh Badal here today. To achieve this aim, Sukhbir has virtually been functioning as the chief executive officer of four proposed mega thermal power projects.

Talking to The Tribune, he said only three thermal power plants had been set up in Punjab ever since it came into existence in 1966. This was despite the fact that the state had been ruled by the Congress for a major period of time and the Centre also remained under its rule for a considerable time.

These four thermal plants are being set up at a cost of Rs 32,500 crore in one go to add 6,480 MW to Punjab power generation within three years.

“Before the SAD-BJP alliance took over the administration, such a big exercise was unthinkable. It has become possible only as he means business and wants to deliver. Now, no one can stop Punjab from jumping into the elite class of modern states of the world.”

The power projects included 1320-MW Rajpura Thermal Power Project (Rs 6,600 crore), 1980-MW Talwandi Sabo Thermal Power Project (Rs 10,000 crore), 540-MW Goindwal Sahib Thermal Power Project (Rs 2,700 crore) and 2640-MW Gidderbaha Thermal Power Project to be set up at a cost of Rs 13,200 crore.

He said the foundation stones for such projects in Banwala in Mansa district and Goindwal Sahib had been laid and work started. The foundation stones of other two thermal plants would be laid by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal shortly.