NTPC's MP power plant gets green backing from panel.

A high-level committee has recommended environmental clearance for state-owned NTPC's 1,320-MW Khargone power project in Madhya Pradesh, but with certain riders.

'The Committee recommended the project for environmental clearance subject to... Specific conditions,' a company official said.

The stipulations for the project, estimated to cost Rs. 7,000 crore, are the coal transportation should be by rail, the sulphur and ash content of coal shall not exceed 0.5% and 43%, respectively, and the latest authenticated satellite imagery shall be submitted annually to monitor alterations of the area, the official said.

The country's largest power producer, NTPC, had earlier invited bids for construction of the thermal project.

Infrastructure firm Larsen & Toubro had in April bagged the contract from NTPC to set up the power project.

'...The project entails design, engineering, manufacture, supply, erection and commissioning of two coal-fired thermal units of 660 MW each with ultra-supercritical (energy efficient) parameters,' Larsen & Toubro had earlier said.

NTPC had earlier said it plans to finance the EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) package for Khargone plant through external commercial borrowings and its own resources.


BS