Union Minister Manohar Lal Reviews Odisha’s Power Sector, Assures Support for Infrastructure Development

Bhubaneswar: Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, visited Bhubaneswar today to review Odisha’s power sector and held extensive discussions with senior state officials on key infrastructure developments. The meeting focused on fly ash utilization, capacity expansion, transmission infrastructure, and power allocation, underscoring the Centre’s commitment to supporting Odisha’s growing energy needs.

During the discussions, Manohar Lal assured that the issue of achieving fly ash utilization targets would be addressed comprehensively. He announced plans to convene a joint meeting with the Ministries of Coal, Environment, and Railways to streamline the transportation and disposal of fly ash, including ensuring the availability of rail rakes for long-distance transport. The assurance comes as Odisha continues to expand its thermal power capacity, necessitating efficient fly ash management.

Highlighting the increasing power demand, the Odisha government informed that the state currently has an operational coal-based thermal power capacity of 20 GW, with an additional 10 GW in the pipeline, set to be commissioned over the next 5–6 years. The Union Minister encouraged the development of more pit-head thermal power plants in Odisha, emphasizing collaboration with power generation companies (GENCOs) from other states to maximize efficiency and ensure sustainable power generation.

The discussions also covered Odisha’s intra-state transmission strategy and ongoing efforts to enhance electricity supply in key urban centers like Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited (OPTCL) provided updates on its initiatives to resolve Right of Way (RoW) issues, a crucial factor in ensuring seamless transmission infrastructure expansion. Manohar Lal informed that the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) would take up the proposal to establish a Green Energy Corridor within Odisha’s intrastate transmission network after March 31, 2025, once the compilation process is completed.

Regarding the state’s inclusion in the next phase of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), Manohar Lal assured that the matter would be appropriately taken up, reinforcing the Centre’s commitment to improving Odisha’s power distribution system. He also confirmed that Odisha would receive its due allocation of power from Phase-II of NLCIL’s Talabira Thermal Power Project, in accordance with the Ministry of Power’s guidelines.

The visit underscores the Centre’s efforts to strengthen Odisha’s power infrastructure and support its long-term energy security. By addressing transmission challenges, promoting sustainable fly ash utilization, and ensuring adequate power supply, the Union government aims to facilitate Odisha’s continued economic and industrial growth.