Provide Bihar coal linkage for new power plants: Sushil Modi

PATNA - Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi Saturday demanded coal linkages for thermal power plants upcoming in the state.

“We demand that the central government provide us coal linkage for upcoming thermal power plants in Bihar,” Modi said in his address at the two-day Bihar conclave that began here Saturday.

Modi made it clear that Bihar needs coal linkages, not coal mines.

He said the state government had requested the central government several times for providing coal linkage to the proposed thermal power units but no concrete step was taken in this connection so far.

Bihar is to set up three new thermal power plants to generate 3,960 MW of energy, an official said.

The plants, of 1,320 MW each, will be set up at Kajra in Lakhisarai, Piparpainti in Bhagalpur and Chusa in Buxar districts. Besides, the state is planning to set up two more units of 250 MW capacity at Barauni thermal power plant.

“All three power plants will be facilitated through the Bihar Power Infrastructure Company,” the official said.

While the state has a daily requirement of 2,000 MW, it produces only 150-200 MW of power. The central government supplies around 1,000-1,200 MW.

During the election campaign for the October-November state assembly polls, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had promised to light up every village in the power-starved state by 2015.

Millions in Bihar are still living in the lantern age as electricity is a luxury for people in most parts of the state. Patna is an exception of sorts, but most small towns and district headquarters are hit badly by the power shortage.