LS panel moots gas-based plant for cheap power
MPT’s jurisdiction may be changed
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, JUNE 15
The Estimates Committee of Lok Sabha has favoured a gas-based power plant in Goa given the State’s status as a tourist destination and has opined that the NH-17 and NH-4 should be either 6-lane or 4-lane or in some places even with a width of 30 meters depending upon the availability of land
Chairman of the Committee Francisco Sardinha said the Lok Sabha panel tried to break even the demands of the MPT authorities and the concerns of locals over the expansion plans of the Mormugao Port.
Around 16 Members of Parliament, who are Members of the Estimates Committee headed by Sardinha met for two days at a starred hotel at Betalbatim and visited various places, where they discussed and deliberated on issues relating to power, highways, port and the airport in Goa.
He said the Committee has agreed to the proposal for the generation of 240 mega watts of power for Goa close to the coal block allotted to the State by the Government of India. “During our deliberations, we discussed regarding supply of Coal. The Government of India has allotted a coal block to Goa and with that they want to generate power of 240 mega watts close to the block in due course of time. May be after few years, whatever power allotment is there for Goa will not be sufficient. Right now, the State can break even as our power consumption is 500 mega watts. But, the present power supply will not suffice in due course of time”, he said, adding that the estimates committee also discussed on generation of power through non-conventional sources of energy.
Replying to a question, he said there was a proposal to set up a coal-based plant in Goa, but it has not found favour with the Goa Government and the Committee as well since Goa is a tourist State. “We have favoured a gas-based power plant for Goa to meet the requirements. If the Government cannot fund the project, the power plant should come via the PPP Model to provide cheap power to the consumers”, he added.
On the expansion of the NH-17 and NH-4 passing through Goa, Sardinha said the Committee discussed the alignment of the highway in view of representations made from various quarters. “The Goa Government is the acquisition authority and they have given the sanction for 30-meter width in certain places where there’s no availability of land.
“The Government says the highway should be expanded to 45-meter width, while at Chinchinim, they have proposed to restrict the width to 30 meters. We strongly feel that wherever possible, the highway should be 60 meters to cater to the future. If possible, there should be a six-lane, if not possible then the highway ought to be four-lane. Only in areas where there’s no scope for expansion, the width can be restricted to 30 meters”, he added.
The Chairman of the Estimates Committee said the Committee is not the sanctioning authority, but can only make recommendations. “The Committee will make the recommendations to the Lok Sabha on all these issues”, he added.
On the expansion of the Mormugao Port, he said the Committee discussed over the issue, how to make MPT lucrative and have better facilities. “There was lot of resentment because the highway was not connected to the port. We tried to break even. I feel there will be a solution to the problems facing the MPT and things will improve after the highway is connected to the port”, he added.
When newsmen drew Sardinha’s attention to the claim made by MPT over all waters, including rivers, Sardinha said the Goa government is trying to change the jurisdiction of the port over the rivers and waters.
When asked over concerns expressed by various quarters in Mormugao over MPT’s expansion plans, including the Khariawadda fishing jetty, Sardinha said the committee received representations from many quarters, adding that recommendations will be made to the concerned Ministries to address the grievances and problems.
