PM lays stone for NTPC-BHEL plant at Mannavaram in AP

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the foundation stone laying ceremony for the NTPC-BHEL Power Projects Private Limited’s manufacturing plant at Mannavaram in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh on September 1, 2010. Andhra Pradesh Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan, Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Vilasrao Deshmukh are also seen.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said availability of affordable power was of critical importance for India's development and said the gap between supply and demand of electricty had to be bridged if the country were to achieve higher rates of economic growth on a sustained basis.

"Therefore, we have drawn up an ambitious programme for addition of power generation capacity in the 11th and 12th five year plans," he said after laying the foundation stone for NTPC-BHEL Power Projects Private Limited's manufacturing plant at Mannavaram village in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh.

Dr Singh said this large addition in the country's power generation capacity would mean a much larger demand for power equipment.

He expressed happiness that two public sector giants, NTPC Ltd and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) had joined hands to set up a new company and bring together their vast experience and expertise.

He noted that nearly Rs 6000 crore would be invested over a period of five years to fully establish the new plant, which will be able to produce power equipment required for additional capacity of 5000 MW per year by 2014-15.

He also noted that the plant would provide direct employment to 6000 people and indirect employment to another 25,000. He appreciated the vision of the Andhra Pradeh government in planning a large industrial hub around the plant.

Dr Singh used the opportunity to pay tributes to late Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhar Reddy, whose first death anniversary will be observed tomorrow. Mr Reddy had died in a helicopter crash on September 2 last year.

"It was his untiring efforts that brought this project to the backward area of Chittoor district. The manufacturing plant being set up here will always remind us of the great love and affection that Rajashekharji had for the people of Andhra Pradesh and this area. It will stand testimony to the concern he felt for the welfare of his people," he said.

The Prime Minister said the project also exemplified the importance of coordination between the Central and the State Governments.

"I am sure that this manufacturing plant will go a long way in improving the economic condition of the people of this backward region. I wish it all success. I also wish the people of Andhra Pradesh and Chittoor district prosperity and happiness for the future," he added.

NNN