Setback for Madhya Pradesh's plan for thermal power project

The Madhya Pradesh government's plan to set up  a 1200 MW thermal power plant with the help of a private player in Shahpura area in Jabalpur has received a major setback, a top official said.
   
"Some investors were eager to put their money but as we did not get a coal linkage facility from the Centre for the project within the stipulated time of two years, the investors have withdrawn" Madhya Pradesh Power Trading Company Limited (MPPTCL) managing director PK Vaishya told PTI today.
     
However, he said that they have not yet given up hopes, adding that they would explore ways to set up the project.
    
"Without coal linkage, a thermal station can not be run and thus we could not strike a deal with the parties eager to set up the project, the MD said. Under the plan, MP was to get the entire electricity from the project, Vaishya said.
    
The state government had made MPPTCL, the nodal agency to facilitate setting up of the project with the help of private player to increase the power avaliability in the state.
     
MPPTCL had got environment clearance and identified the vacant government land for the project, among other things, but failed to get coal linkage facility, officials said.
Shahpura is an ideal place for setting up thermal power station given that it is close to river Narmada with ample water round the year required to run an energy generation unit.