Ist Unit of Khedar Plant will start in December

हिसार : The construction of prestigious 1200 MW (2x600 MW) Rajiv Gandhi Thermal Power Plant, Khedar in district Hisar was reviewed by Sh. Ashok Lavasa, Financial Commissioner & Principal Secretary (Power) and Chairman, HPGCL at project site on 28 January. Overall 60 percent work has been completed. The first unit of this Mega Project will be commissioned before Dec. this year and second before March, 2010. The synchronization of first unit is being planned during Sept.
Sh. Ashok Lavasa further informed that next major milestone of Boiler Hydraulic Test of Unit-1 is expected to be achieved ahead of scheduled date of 28 January. Earlier the major milestone of Boiler Drum Lifting of Unit-2 was achieved 22 days ahead of scheduled date of 28.11.2008. An expenditure of Rs.1439.05 crore has so far been incurred on this project against total Engineering, Procurement and Construction cost of Rs.3775.43 crore.
He further added that major construction activities like Boiler and Turbine erection, construction of Cooling Towers, Chimney and 400 KV Switchyard are going on as per schedule or ahead of schedule. The Cooling Towers of the project are tallest in the country with a height of 173 meters, out of which casting of more than 168 meter has already been completed in case of Unit-1 and 82 meter in case of Unit-2. The height of the Chimney of this project is 275 meters and is the tallest structure of the project, the Chimney has already achieved a height of 227 meters.
During the review, Mr. Lavasa implored the officers of the Irrigation Department and the Public Works (B&R) Department to expedite the construction of the water inlet channel before the middle of May 2009, to enable the plant authorities to complete the tests for commissioning of the plant. He also exhorted the Haryana State Road & Bridges Corporation to expedite the construction of the barracks meant for the Central Industrial Security Force and the residential accommodation for the employees.
Regarding implementation of the project, he informed that about 40 reputed contractors and more than 5000 workers are working round the clock to meet the challenging schedule of the project. Highest level of environmental health and safety standards are being maintained at the project as the man-power is likely to peak to around 8000 during the final stages of construction.
The State is further targeting a best effort schedule of 34 and 36 months for early availability of power from these units. This is the first project in Northern region to be awarded Mega Project status with attached benefits under the Mega Project policy of Government of India.
A colony for operation and maintenance staff having 417 residences and other non-residential buildings is under construction and will be ready before commissioning of the plant.
About 19 Km. Raw Water Intake Channel for supply of 75 cusecs water to the plant is under construction and the work shall be completed by May, 2009.
About 2 Km. long Railway line from Barwala Railway Station to plant is being constructed for transportation of around 6 to 7 coal rakes daily to the plant. The Railway line has been located to avoid second crossing of Barwala-Agroha road.
Around 14 lakh Tonne of Dry Fly Ash per year is expected to be available from this plant and is proposed to be allotted to prospective users on long term basis. This will reduce the requirement of land for disposal of fly ash in the wet pond.