Preparations to establish the nation's first geo-thermal power project in Tatapani of newly-formed Balrampur-Ramanujganj district of Chhattisgarh have already started, said Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh while addressing the local media-persons at Balrampur headquarters of Balrampur-Ramanujganj district on Friday morning.
Dr Singh said that in order to overcome the regional disparities in terms of development, the State Government is giving top priority to the progress of districts situated near the inter-State borders.
Chief Minister said that Ramanuj-Balrampur district has also been formed with the same objective i.e. to bring the people of this bordering area closer to government and administration, and thereby ensure effective implementation of public welfare schemes.
Dr Singh asserted that this district is rich in aesthetic beauty and water resources, and has immense potential for development. In his answer to a question, Chief Minister said that it is a big achievement of this district that India's first geo-thermal power project has been started in Tatapani area of this district, where huge resource of geo-thermal power is available in form of underground hot-water spring.
Chief Minister informed media that state government has signed an MoU with Central Government's undertaking National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) six months back on February 16 for construction of this power project. Earlier in the cabinet meeting held on December 5, 2012 at Raipur, state government had approved the proposal of this project. After signing of MoU, State Government's agency- Chhattisgarh Renewable Energy Development Agency (CREDA) and Central Government's undertaking NTPC are jointly taking action towards the implementation of this project. Responsibility of designing, establishment, financial management and supervision has been entrusted to NTPC. And, NTPC has already begun with the initial process. In this plant, the underground hot water spring available due to the geo-thermal energy, will be converted into steam and with the use of special technology this steam will be utilized for generating electricity.
Chief Minister also told that in District Headquarters Balrampur, state government is constructing a hospital of 100-bed capacity at the cost of Rs 5.19 crores. Moreover, Joint District Office building will also be constructed in Balrampur at the cost of Rs 12 crore. In this building, district-level offices of all the important departments will be operated under one roof, for the convenience of public. Dr Singh said that Balrampur-Ramanujganj district is also known for the historical heritage like Dipadih, where the archaeological remains of 5th and 8th century have been found.
State Government is taking every possible step to conserve this archaeological site and develop it as a tourist place. In this district, construction of Khutpali diversion irrigation scheme on River Kanhar at the cost of Rs 25.59 crores is also underway. Moreover, in last few years, about 33 bridges and culverts have been constructed at the cost of Rs 266 crores. Under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), proposals of upgrading 312 rural roads into all-weather roads at the cost of Rs 41.76 crores have been approved, out of which 281 have been completed already. In his parting shot, CM insisted that the state government has lived up to its each and every promise to the public.