Indian Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal told Press Trust of India: "The Centre will soon initiate the process for 4,000-MW UMPP in Bihar and allocate sufficient number of coal blocks to cater to it.
"We want that the electricity requirement of the state is met by production here itself.
The announcement was made following the commercial launch of the 660MW unit IV of Barh super thermal power plant (STPP), which is located in Barh, Bihar.
Additionally, the second 110MW unit of the first phase of Kanti thermal power station, has been launched in Muzaffarpur district, Bihar.
"This is a golden day for the people of the state as they have been deprived of electricity for several years. The two units inaugurated today will provide around 800 MW thereby helping farmers in irrigation and industrial growth," Goyal said.
India plans to develop four additional 660MW units at the Barh STPP, which will increase power production capacity to 3,300MW, within four years.
Additionally, two 195MW units at Kanti are planned to be upgraded within a year and an approval for 132MW hydel project at Baghmara in Supaul district would be sought.
"We have clear-cut instruction from the PM to extend all help to eastern states including Bihar to make them self-reliant in the power sector.
"There is clear-cut instruction from the PM not to bring any politics in power sector in energy-starved eastern states like Bihar, Odisha and West Bengal," Goyal added.
