Mumbai firm all set to get GNDTP dismantling work

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, September 11

The state government is all set to award the contract for dismantling Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant (GNDTP) in Bathinda to a Mumbai-based firm, making way for a mega industrial park coming on 1,320 acres.

Jatinder Goyal, director/finance, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), said: “A Mumbai-based firm has made the highest bid of Rs 164.6 crore, which is Rs 32 crore more than the fixed reserve price of Rs 132 crore.”

“The official orders will be released in two to three weeks. The firm will start dismantling the thermal power plant after depositing security and fulfilling other requirements,” he added.

However, the state government has decided to keep the four mega cooling towers intact, as the structure has enormous heritage value. Even three lakes spread on 164 acres will be kept as it is, but the district administration residence and the police lines will be shifted from Civil Lines to Thermal Colony. The structures, including chimneys and machinery used in power generation, besides cables and pipes will be disposed of.

Earlier, the state government had given a nod for redevelopment of land. As per the government’s decision, the land, which belongs to PSPCL, will be handed over to the Punjab Urban Development Authority through a 80:20 revenue sharing scheme.