By IANS,
Chennai : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa said Wednesday that the electricity supply situation in the state would improve from June, when 1,950 MW of capacity would be added.
“The government is giving priority to power projects. The ongoing power projects in North Chennai, Mettur and Vallur have been activated. By June, 1,950 MW of fresh capacity would kick in and in October, another 600 MW would start operations. There will be soon a full-stop on power shortage in the state,” said the chief minister at a by-poll rally at Sankarankoil in Tirunelveli district.
Jayalalithaa did not refer to the 2,000 MW Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KNPP) coming up at Kudankulam in Tirunelveli district.
The project is being built by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL). The Tamil Nadu government has asked the central government to allay the fears of the local populace about the nuclear power plant.
The state government appointed an expert panel that has submitted its report reiterating the safety of the KNPP reactors. The government is yet to spell out its decision on the report.
The by-poll in Sankarankoil has been necessitated by the death of sitting member, AIADMK’s C.Karuppasamy, in October due to ill-health.
The by-poll is crucial as it is the first election after the ruling AIADMK parted with its assembly election allies and the first poll after the government jacked up the bus fares and milk prices.