Centre approves Adani Power’s plan to link Godda plant to Indian grid: Report
New Delhi: The Centre has approved Adani Power Limited’s (APL) proposal to connect its Godda Ultra Super Critical Thermal Power Plant in Jharkhand to the Indian power grid, The Indian Express reported on Friday.
The plant, which currently supplies electricity exclusively to Bangladesh, will be linked to the domestic grid through a Line-In Line-Out (LILO) connection to the Kahalgaon A–Maithon B 400 KV transmission line.
To lay the proposed transmission line—passing through 56 villages across the Godda and Poreyahat tehsils in Jharkhand’s Godda district—the Centre has granted Adani Power Limited (APL) the same powers as those held by the telegraph authority under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885. This allows APL to place and maintain transmission lines and posts under, over, along, or across any immovable property as permitted by the Act.
The Power Ministry’s order comes in the wake of several amendments to regulations to enable this transmission connectivity to the APL’s Godda plant, including the ministry’s move to amend the guidelines for import and export of electricity, the Central Electricity Authority’s (CEA) move to amend procedure for facilitating cross border flows, among others, the report added.
Declared a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in March 2019, APL’s Godda power plant supplies electricity exclusively to Bangladesh. However, following a regime change in Dhaka in August 2024, the Indian government had allowed as an interim arrangement to connect the Godda plant with Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS), a high-voltage network in India that transmits electricity across state borders, enabling power flow from surplus regions to areas with deficits and ensuring grid stability.
APL, earlier called Adani Power Jharkhand Ltd, wrote to the Ministry of Power on August 6, 2024, a day after the ouster of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5. In the letter, it informed the government that “given the sustained increase in power demand across India, it would be beneficial if their generating station could cater to such demand in India, when the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) is not scheduling power from the plant on account of low demand, any default under PPA or any geo-political issue.”
The latest approval by the Power Ministry is granted for 25 years. APL must secure clearances from relevant authorities including local bodies, Railways, and the Civil Aviation and Defence ministries. The transmission line can only be operated after approval from the Centre’s electrical inspector and in compliance with the Electricity Act, 2003.
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Minister Patil chairs industry meetings to chart growth for key sectors in Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister M B Patil on Tuesday chaired meetings with industry representatives from the aerospace and defence, machine tools, auto/EV, and green energy sectors to discuss sector growth and government support measures.
The meetings were attended by leading industrialists and their representatives, with some participating virtually.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister for Large and Medium Industries said Karnataka is at the forefront of the country’s aerospace and defence sectors.
He noted that Suzuki and Toyota plan to launch aerial taxi services in Japan by 2028, with Bengaluru-based Sasmos supplying electrical equipment for the project.
Industrialists suggested introducing similar “fly-taxi” services in Karnataka through an appropriate policy, which Patil said would be examined seriously.
The minister highlighted the need to establish testing centres and Common Facility Centres for the aerospace and defence industries and assured that these facilities would be provided.
Suggestions were also made to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for sector growth.
Karnataka has urged the Central Government to approve Defence Corridor projects in the Bengaluru North–Kolar–Chikkaballapur and Dharawada–Vijayapura–Belagavi regions.
Industrialists also suggested a corridor between Bengaluru and Mysuru, Patil said.
He said Karnataka aims to become a hub for defence electronics manufacturing, with plans to establish a 200-acre Defence Electronics Park and a 100-acre Avionics and Sensor Park.
These projects will be implemented once the Special Investment Region is operational, and land availability will not be an issue.
On the machine tools sector, Patil said the industry has recorded an annual turnover of Rs 36,500 crore and is witnessing steady growth.
Large-scale exhibitions have increased demand, and the state must strengthen its capabilities to develop control systems for heavy machinery. One testing unit is already operational in Bengaluru, with another planned for Tumakuru. Expansion of vocational training institutes in industrial areas is also underway.
In the Auto and EV sector, Vision Group members highlighted the need for a network of dry ports and more EV charging stations across the state.
Patil noted that the Tata Group is manufacturing EV buses in Dharawada for nationwide supply. Plans for mini excavator production and export facilitation were also discussed, along with the establishment of a testing facility for two-wheeler EVs.
For the Green Energy sector, the group emphasised the need for a suitable policy on battery-based energy storage and the establishment of data centres.
Patil assured that the government will seriously consider all suggestions and respond positively.
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