THE Bedabahal (Orissa) ultra mega power project may hit a road block as the captive coal mines linked with the 4,000 MW project now figures in the list of areas prohibited for mining activities by the environment ministry.

Jayajit Dash / Kolkata/ Bhubaneswar July 05, 2010, 0:59 IST

OREDA to electrify 1000 inaccessible villages this year

Orissa may have the most number of un-electrified villages in the country after Jharkhand but the state is upbeat on meeting the target for electrification of all its villages by December 2011.

The Centre has vented its displeasure over the sluggish pace of implementation of Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGVY), a Centrally sponsored scheme, in Orissa.

Peeved over the slow pace of work executed by the contractors appointed by the Central PSUs responsible for implementing the flagship scheme in the state, the Centre has directed these PSUs to expedite work.

TALCHER: In A major relief to NTPC-Kaniha authorities, an abandoned coal mine has been allotted for dumping ash from their pond.

New Delhi: Reliance Industries (RIL) has firmed up its plans to enter the power sector. Sources said the company will bid for two ultra mega power projects (UMPPs) in Chhattisgarh and Orissa. In addition, it is also likely to bid for the 2,000-MW Bhadravati project of the Ispat group in Maharashtra.

SAMBALPUR: Despite housing the Hirakud dam project which also generates electricity, hundreds of villages in the district continue to be in dark without power.

As many as 473 villages in Sambalpur district await electrification even though schemes like Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyuti Karan Yojana (RGGVY) and Biju Gram Jyoti Yojana have been launched.

PFC To Invite Pre-Qualification Bids For 4,000 MW Project
Subhash Narayan NEW DELHI

THE government will kick-start the bidding process for the 4,000 mw Orissa power project this week, undeterred by the setback suffered by the Chhattisgarh ultra mega power project that faces uncertainty over allocation of captive coal blocks.

BHUBANESWAR: The Orissa Power Transmission Corporation Limited (OPTCL) and the Western Electricity Supply Company (WESCO) have been instructed to upgrade the grid substations, enhance the capacity of distribution transformers and replace conductors in a time bound manner in Kalahandi district.

DHENKANAL:A Bid by Bhusan Steel Limited (BSL) to construct an ash pond is mired in controversy after the district administration, the Rehabilitation and Peripheral Development Advisory Committee (RPDAC) rejected it on the grounds of stiff resistance from villagers. The Orissa State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) too refused permission for its construction.