Dabhol revival brings hope to hospital, school

After the revival of the Dabhol power plant, Maharashtra government is also planning to revive other projects like hospital, school and ITI in the vicinity, Maharashtra energy minister Dilip Walse Patil said.

Building facilities like hospital, school and ITI were part of the original plan and were supposed to be the responsibility of the American firm Enron.

However, with Enron going bust and the power plant remaining closed for over five years, these facilities proved to be a non-starter.

Patil, on a visit to Dabhol for a meeting with the officials of Ratnagiri Gas and Power Pvt Ltd, which now oversees the Dabhol power project, said he would "try to open the school with the help of the Centre."

He said he would also get the ITI started but would like to discuss the revival of the hospital with the officials of the state health ministry.

The local people also questioned him on a new power project being proposed in the same area. The minister said that fuel is an important consideration while setting up a power project.

Since the new power project, which is only on paper for now, will use imported coal as fuel, it has to be located on the coast.