Expressing displeasure over slow pace of construction of 1,000 MW Anpara D thermal power plant, Uttar Pradesh Minister of State for Power Yasir Shah today directed the officials of Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam to ensure that its first unit is functional by March 2015.
The minister issued these directives at a review meeting of the department at Shakti Bhawan here.
He said that for power units short, mid and long term plans should be made for their maintenance and modernization.
Criticizing engineers of the department, Shah said, "They should be ashamed if PLF (Plant load factor) is less than 90 per cent. But in reality, engineers here appear happy if they get 65 per cent PLF."
The minister said that maintenance of power plants should be done on benchmark set by NTPC and no laxity will be tolerated in this regard.
He said units that are not financially viable to run should be closed down and new power projects should be initiated in their place.
The minister also reviewed 660 MW Harduaganj project, 660 MW Panki expansion project, 1320 MW Obra C expansion works and sought details about them.
