Power Finance Corporation Ltd (PFC), the nodal agency for ultra mega power projects (UMPPs), is all set to float requests for qualification (RFQs) for two mega projects – Cheyyur in Tamil Nadu and Bhedabahal in Odisha.

The RFQs for these UMPPs are being finalised and PFC will issue the RFQ for the Bhedabahal Project in Odisha on September 25 and for the Cheyyur Project in Tamil Nadu on September 26.

This fresh round of bidding for UMPPs comes after a gap of more than five years since bidding for the last UMPP in Jharkhand in 2007.

For the Odisha UMPP, all major clearances are available. Cost of land to the tune of Rs 719 crore has been paid to the Odisha Government by the power procuring States and award has already been made under Section 11 for the land, PFC said in a statement.

Three coal blocks — Meenakshi, Meenakshi-B and dip side of Meenakshi — have been allocated for the project, which have been declared a go area by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). Year-round water linkage is available from the Hirakud reservoir. As for environment clearance, studies as advised by the MoEF have been completed and environmental clearance would be obtained within the stipulated time. Civil aviation clearance has also been obtained from the Airports Authority of India.

Similarly, for the Cheyyur UMPP, which is based on imported coal, all major clearances are available. Notification under Section 4(2) of the Tamil Nadu Land Acquisition Act has been issued, according to which the land vests absolutely with the Government free from all encumbrances. NoCs from various departments of the Government of Tamil Nadu, namely, Urban Land Ceiling, Water Resources, PWD and Highways have also been obtained for the power station. For the captive port also, NoCs have been obtained from the State Departments concerned. Land cost of about Rs  84 crore would be paid by the procuring States to the Tamil Nadu Government shortly.

siddhartha.s@thehindu.co.in

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