Hyderabad: The Telangana state government has decided to purchase 1,000 MW of power from Chhattisgarh immediately, besides planning short-term and long-term power deals with the neighbouring state to overcome the power crisis in the new state.
Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, who discussed power shortage and related issues with Transco and CMO officials on Friday, asked Transco managing director Rizvi to take immediate steps to obtain power from Chhattisgarh.
Mr Rao underlined the need for buying power from neighbouring Chhattisgarh in view of abundant availability of power there and the ease of laying dedicated lines. Mr Rao told the Transco MD to buy 1,000 MW power from Chhattisgarh by entering into a memorandum of understanding with the Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company and into a PPA with the Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCL) for lines.
He also asked them to obtain 1,500 MW of power through dedicated lines and call for tenders to draw lines.
In addition, Mr Rao asked them to negotiate for 2,000 MW power on a medium term basis from Chhattisgarh to meet immediate needs for a five-year period. The Transco MD was also advised to remain connected constantly with the Chhattisgarh government for this purpose.
The Chief Minister said Chhattisgarh had surplus power and it was in a position to spare power to other states. Also, it was the only state from which Telangana could obtain power without much hassle, he remarked.
Mr Rao also plans to fly down to Chhattisgarh and hold talks with his counterpart in this regard.
