Chhattisgarh: PM Modi inaugurates, lays foundation stones of 10 projects

Raipur, Feb 24 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday virtually inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of 10 projects cumulatively costing Rs 34,400 crore in Chhattisgarh.

The projects which were inaugurated during the 'Viksit Bharat Viksit Chhattisgarh' event addressed by the PM through video conferencing are part of the road, rail, coal, power and solar energy sectors, a state government official said.

These projects will create new opportunities for the people of the state and modern infrastructure will strengthen the foundation of 'Viksit Chhattisgarh', the PM said in his address.

The PM dedicated the National Thermal Power Corporation's (NTPC) Lara Super Thermal Power Project Stage-I (2x800 MW) to the nation and laid the foundation stone of Lara Super Thermal Power Project Stage-II (2x800 MW) in the state's Raigarh district.

While Stage-I of the project is built with an investment of Rs 15,800 crore, Stage-II entails investment of Rs 15,530 crore, the state government official said.

The project, which is equipped with highly efficient super critical technology (for Stage-I) and ultra super critical technology (for Stage-II), will ensure lesser specific coal consumption and carbon dioxide emission, the official said.

"While 50 per cent power from both Stage-I and II is allocated to Chhattisgarh, the project will also play a crucial role in improving the power scenario in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa, Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, among others," the official added.

In a step to boost production of renewable energy, the PM also inaugurated the solar PV project at Rajnandgaon built at a cost of Rs 900 crore.

The PM also dedicated a 50MW solar power plant in Bhilai that will help in utilization of solar energy in running trains.

Referring to the NTPC's Super Thermal Power Project, the PM said electricity will now be made available for the citizens at lesser costs.

Modi highlighted the government's endeavour to make Chhattisgarh a centre for solar energy and asserted the solar power plants in Rajnandgaon and Bhilai have the potential to supply electricity to nearby regions even at night.

The PM also inaugurated three key 'First Mile Connectivity (FMC)' projects of South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) that have been built at a total cost of more than Rs 600 crore.

"These projects will help in faster, eco-friendly and efficient mechanised evacuation of coal. They are Dipka OCP Coal Handling Plant in SECL's Dipka Area, Chhal and Baroud OCP Coal handling plant in SECL's Raigarh Area," the state government official said.

The PM also inaugurated rail and road projects during the event. PTI