PUNJAB GOVERNMENT is exploring the possibility of setting up of two new thermal units of 660 MW each at Ropar in view of availability of required infrastructure.

In October last Punjab Government had announced the setting up of two 660 MW units in state sector near Mukerian. According to sources the possibility of setting up these units along with existing thermal units at Ropar is now being explored. Ropar thermal plant has six units of 210 MW each.

The available land, water, rail linkage, initial man power and other basic amenities needed to set up a new project are already available and can be suitably extended. There is surplus residential accommodation at Nuhon colony at plant site and power colony Ropar. The surplus office accommodation is also available at power colony.

A team of engineers visited Ropar few days back to study the possibility of setting up the project having 2 units of 660 MW each and assess the future land requirements. Land is required for extension of coal handling plant, setting up of cooling tower and setting up the project at Ropar will reduce the cost component considerably.

The additional land requirements for cooling tower and extension of coal plant can be acquired without much resistance. The nearby villagers are already facing pollution and water logging problems.