Nitish hints at Bihar becoming a power surplus state

PATNA: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today hinted that Bihar would become a power surplus state in a couple of years.

Kumar said that an additional 2000 MW would be generated from the thermal power plant at Nabi Nagar which was being constructed in partnership with the NTPC.

He told a function here that the 1320X3 thermal power plants at Chausa, Kajra and Pirpaiti were in various stages of constructions.

He said that extensive work was being carried out to tone up the transmission and distribution networks and to augment generation capacity with the Barauni and Kanti thermal power plants being renovated with the help of NTPC.

Happy at improvement in the power scenario over the past eight years with the availability of power rising to 3100 MW at present against 750 MW in 2005, Kumar said that his government would succeed in its mission to electrify the entire state as it had done in road infrastructure.

Reiterating his commitment to expand the electricity network in Bihar by 2015, he said "We will ensure power supply to all consumers."

Apparently referring to the recent power workers agitation, the chief minister urged the electricity engineers and employees to work together to fulfil his government's promise to electrify the entire state over the next two years.

He said that the state government would provide subsidised power to farmers and weavers.