By IANS
New Delhi : Power-starved Delhi will invest Rs.6.22 billion for construction of a thermal power plant in Jhajjar district of Haryana to get electricity before the city hosts Commonwealth Games 2010.
The 1,500 MW coal-based plant, Aravali Super Thermal Power Project, will come up with an estimated cost of Rs.82.94 billion.
Delhi Finance Minister A.K. Walia said the national capital would, however, share an equity of Rs.622 crore (Rs.6.2 billion) in this project.
He said National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), Indraprastha Power Generation Company Ltd (IPGCL) and Haryana Power Generation Corporation Ltd (HPGCL) would jointly develop the plant.
"Delhi has already released an equity of Rs.1.5 billion (Rs.150 crore) for this project. First unit of 500 MW would be commissioned within six months after start of work and subsequent units at six months' intervals," Walia told reporters here.
The minister said the union ministry of coal has arranged coal linkage whereas the ministry of railways has conveyed its approval for long-term rail linkage from coalfields to the power plant.
Delhi is facing a power shortage of nearly 400 MW every day leading to long hours of power cuts. During the ongoing summer season, some parts of the city are facing blackouts for five to seven hours.