BTPS facing uncertain future

KOKRAJHAR, May 7? The 240 MW Bongaigaon Thermal Power Station (BTPS) at Kokrajhar is likely to be shut down following the apathetic attitude of the ASEB. The Chief Engineer (generation), ASEB Apurba Sharma visited the BTPS recently, met several members of Kokrajhar Zilla Thika Sramik Union and assured that the BTPS would be renovated soon. He also said that the workers' union should not be worried about the present condition of the power project. He also added that the Harendranath Das Committee, which suggested the investing of Rs 2 crore for renovation of BTPS is useless, but the ASEB will make necessary recommendation itself. But, as per reliable information received here, the ASEB in its board meeting held on April 30 last at Guwahati resolved not to renovate the BTPS and also decided to pull out 620 contract labourers from the project. On the other hand, it is learnt that out of the four units only the fourth unit was active with a power generating capacity of 20-30 MW as per Devananda Konwar, State Power and Finance Minister, but the sources said that the 4th unit remains inactive since March 17.