New Delhi: The Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the first unit of SJVN’s 1,320 MW Buxar Thermal Power Project at Chausa in Bihar’s Buxar district, marking a major step towards boosting power availability in the state and the eastern region.
The Prime Minister virtually inaugurated the 660 MW unit from Bodh Gaya, as part of a larger event where he unveiled and laid foundation stones for projects worth over Rs 13,000 crore in Bihar. The ceremony was attended by Bihar Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Union Ministers, Deputy Chief Ministers of Bihar, state ministers and other dignitaries.
Senior officials including Power Secretary Pankaj Aggarwal, SJVN Chairman & Managing Director Bhupender Gupta, Director (Personnel) Ajay Kumar Sharma, and STPL CEO Vikas Sharma were present, along with employees of SJVN and its subsidiaries who joined the event virtually.
The project, being implemented by SJVN Thermal Private Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SJVN, comprises two units of 660 MW each and is equipped with supercritical technology to ensure higher efficiency and lower environmental impact. With a total investment of Rs 13,756.56 crore, the plant is expected to generate 9,828.72 million units of electricity annually. Of this, 85 percent has been allocated to Bihar under a long-term power purchase agreement.
The project is set to significantly reduce peak-hour power shortages, strengthen energy security, and support industrial growth in Bihar. Construction of the facility involved the use of 2.55 lakh tonnes of steel and 2.80 lakh tonnes of cement, giving a boost to domestic industries and the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
During the construction phase, the project engaged around 5,000 workers annually, with locals being the primary beneficiaries. It has generated both direct and indirect employment opportunities and spurred growth in local markets, transport, hotels, and small businesses. Employment opportunities are expected to continue in the operational phase as well.
SJVN has also implemented several community development initiatives around the project area in education, healthcare, sanitation, drinking water, and women’s empowerment to ensure inclusive development.
A joint venture between the Government of India and the Government of Himachal Pradesh, SJVN is a Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Power. The company, which began with the 1,500 MW Nathpa Jhakri Hydro Power Station in Himachal Pradesh, has since diversified into hydro, thermal, wind, solar, power transmission, and trading.
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