| Work Detail |
Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri Manohar Lal, visited Bhubaneswar and held a detailed review meeting with senior officials of the Government of Odisha on the state’s power sector development. The meeting focused on several key areas such as fly ash utilization, capacity addition in power generation, transmission infrastructure, and power allocation for the state. The discussions were aimed at identifying challenges and finding practical solutions to support the growing energy needs of Odisha. One of the main topics discussed was the issue of fly ash utilization. Odisha has a large number of coal-based thermal power plants that generate significant amounts of fly ash. Shri Manohar Lal assured that the central government is committed to helping the state overcome the challenges related to the disposal and utilization of fly ash. He said a joint meeting would soon be convened with the Ministries of Coal, Environment, and Railways. The objective of this meeting would be to address the issue comprehensively, including making sure there are enough railway rakes available for the long-distance transportation of fly ash. This will support better management and use of fly ash, which is an important environmental concern. During the meeting, the Odisha Government informed the Union Minister that the state currently has an operational coal-based thermal power capacity of 20 gigawatts (GW). In addition, there is a further 10 GW of capacity in the pipeline, expected to be commissioned in the next five to six years. Shri Manohar Lal encouraged the state to develop more pit-head thermal power plants in Odisha. He also suggested exploring joint ventures with power generation companies (GENCOs) from other states to enhance the state’s power generation capacity. The discussion also included the status of Odisha’s transmission infrastructure. Officials shared details about the intra-state planning strategy and highlighted recent progress in strengthening power supply, especially to major cities like Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. Shri Manohar Lal was informed about the steps taken by Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited (OPTCL) to resolve the issues related to the Right of Way (RoW), which have often delayed the expansion of transmission lines. The Minister was also informed about Odisha’s proposal for establishing a Green Energy Corridor within the state’s transmission network. He noted that the proposal will be considered by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) after March 31, 2025, once the compilation process is completed. Another important issue raised was the inclusion of Odisha in the next phase of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). Shri Manohar Lal assured that this matter would be taken up and examined for appropriate action. On the topic of power allocation, the Union Minister confirmed that Odisha will receive adequate power from Phase-II of NLCIL’s Talabira Thermal Power Project. This allocation will be made in line with the guidelines of the Ministry of Power. Shri Manohar Lal’s visit to Odisha highlights the Centre’s commitment to supporting the state in strengthening its power infrastructure. The review meeting underlines the ongoing efforts to meet the rising demand for power in Odisha and promote sustainable energy growth. The discussions and assurances provided by the Union Minister are expected to help the state move forward in achieving its energy goals. |
