GUWAHATI, May 28 � The Assam State Power Workers� Union has demanded that immediate steps should be taken to make the State self-sufficient in power generation.
In a statement, the workers� union demanded that to tide over the power crisis, there is an urgent need for modernisation of the existing power plants. Besides, new power generation projects will have to be taken up.
The union claimed that despite the State having enough of raw materials for power generation, it is still far from becoming self-sufficient in power generation, which is very unfortunate. The lack of political will is one of the main reasons for the present power situation in the State, the union alleged.
The union also alleged that though steps were being taken for the implementation of the 70-MW Lakwa replacement power project to replace the old power project, some vested interest circles were trying to thwart the attempt.
The union said that the project would be implemented with a Rs 300 crore loan from the Asian Development Bank. The statement said that global tenders were floated for the implementation of the project and M/s Wartsila Diesel of Finland was awarded the contract. The company has wide experience of working in different countries and it recently entered into a long-term agreement with the Government of China. The union further said that the company also constructed one of the biggest power plants of the world in Jordan.
