NTPC's Farakka-III likely to be commissioned by February end

After missing several deadlines, NTPC's Farakka-III super thermal power station is finally expected to go on steam by the end of this month. The Ministry of Power (MoP) has, in a recently held meeting to review the Joint Action Plan of Power Projects executed by BHEL, directed NTPC to ensure that the said unit is commissioned well within the latest stipulated timeline of February 2011. 

• NTPC, its its riposte, has informed that while it is making its best efforts to achieve capacity addition by month end, it fears that BHEL's laxity can spoil its plans. Notably, the generator transformer has not yet been made available by the equipment major and is reportedly still is in transit. To this end, it has asked BHEL take note of this matter and give a firm date for its availability. 
• The Farakka thermal power plant, with a cumulative envisaged capacity of 2100 MW, is being executed via three stages in the Murshidabad district of West Bengal. Coal and water for the plant are being sourced from the Rajmahal Coal Fields and Farakka Feeder Canal, respectively.