Capt opposes move to close Bathinda plant
Umesh Dewan
Tribune News Service

Patiala, August 23
After the engineers working with the power corporation, former Chief Minister and PCC president Capt Amarinder Singh has also condemned the move by the state government to close Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant (GNDTP) in Bathinda.

He said although the Congress was concerned about public health, the closure of the plant was no solution. “Since Punjab is already short of power, closing a running plant will lead to further shortage”, he said. He alleged the sole motive of the government was to grab prime land in Bathinda city to make money. “The proposed closure defies logic as Punjab needs more power projects. It cannot afford to shut the existing plants. Instead of taking measures and installing a system to prevent pollution, the Akali government has decided to dismantle the plant.”

On the health concerns, the state Congress chief pointed out that there were many thermal plants running in Punjab and other parts of the country. “If these plants can be operated without causing health problems, why not the Bathinda plant,” he asked, adding that the real purpose of the government was to grab the prime property. The former CM claimed the Badal Government was misleading the masses that the pant had outlived its life. “During my tenure, the Congress government had renovated and refurbished Bathinda and Lehra Mohabbat Phase-I plants and enhanced their generation capacity after spending a lot of money. These plants can run for another 20 years at least”, he said.

He said the power projects in the pipeline would take at least four to five years to complete. “It is important that the existing plants are utilised to their maximum capacity”, he observed.