Mr Arup Roy Chowdhury CMD of NTPC on the sidelines of PanIIT 2012 as saying that the West Bengal government to sort out land and coal linkage issues for the proposed(800xNTPC Ltd is engaged in discussion with 2)1,600 MW power plant at Katwa in Burdwan district of the State.
Mr Roy Choudhury,who met the State Government officials,said that some 556 acres of land,now in possession of the State Government,would just about enough for the plant.The company has asked for more land for the project for drawing a project layout.
Mr Choudhury said that"We are hopeful that a solution could emerge as the State Government appeared keen on the project."
He said that NTPC,however,made the State Government aware that,as a PSU,it cannot directly acquire land.We have also made it clear that the project of this size would need around 500 acres for the fly ash pond alone.We have also discussed possible options in adjustments in the project configuration.
He added that the proposed project cost estimate was earlier placed at around INR 9,600 crore.Any change in the configuration,however,might also influence the cost.
He said that"We have also considered the possibility of an ash pond at a reasonable distance for the plant,connected with an ash slurry pipeline.The State Government was also briefed about the need to link to a specific coal asset as the earlier linked coal block at Dhamagaria has been surrendered by the State Government."
He added that that apart from split location for various auxiliary services,other key possible option was downsizing the project.
He further added that"Unlike the Gajmara project in Odisha,we have not considered shifting of the Katwa project to another State.But both have to work together to find out a middle road."