Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav airs concern over delay in completion of power projects

LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today expressed concern over the "delay" in completion of Rs 9,000 crore projects of navratna company BHEL, saying the state was facing acute power crisis and the delay will affect development of the state.

Reviewing various works being done by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited in the state, he said that while BHEL was executing power projects worth Rs 9,000 crore in UP, and "work was lagging behind due to various reasons."

The chief minister said, "Interest was rising due to delay in completion of the projects which would directly affect their cost and power generation and in turn affect the development of the state."

Akhilesh said that work of renovation and modernisation of Anpara D and Harduaganj projects was being delayed due to which people were deprived of a major share of power generation.

Directing BHEL to expedite the work, Akhilesh said its officials should sit with the counterparts in UP Vidyut Nigam and chalk out an action plan for completion of projects.

He directed that Anpara D project should be completed by June 2013 at all cost.

He said that the state was passing through "acute power crisis", but the government was committed to provide electricity at minimum rates to the people.