KTPS Stage VIII: Paloncha group plans movement for 1,600 MW plant

The KTPS Eighth Stage Sadhana Samithi plans to intensify its campaign seeking a 2×800 MW supercritical power project at Paloncha. The group cited declining employment and rising State power demand while announcing protests, awareness campaigns and representations.

Kothagudem: The KTPS Eighth Stage Sadhana Samithi has decided to intensify its activities to put pressure on the State government to set up a 2×800 MW (1,600 MW) supercritical power project at Kothagudem Thermal Power Corporation (KTPS), Paloncha, in the district.

TGENCO demolished eight aged power units with a combined capacity of 720 MW that were built in phases from 1965-67 to 1978. Since then, locals have been demanding that the government build a new power plant at the site of the decommissioned plant.

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Speaking to Telangana Today, KTPS Eighth Stage Sadhana Samithi leader Jammula Sitarama Reddy stated that for five decades, Paloncha flourished as an industrial hub, providing employment to thousands of families and supporting small-scale businesses, the construction sector, real estate, transportation and service industries.

Over time, employment opportunities gradually declined as several industries shut down and older power units were decommissioned, impacting the town’s economy. Against this backdrop, the proposed 1,600 MW supercritical power project under Phase VIII of KTPS holds the potential to revitalise Paloncha’s industrial landscape, he said.

This project promises to go beyond mere power generation; it is expected to boost local employment, support small businesses, stimulate the construction sector, and foster the expansion of transport and service industries. Meanwhile, the State’s electricity demand is rising year by year.

Estimates indicate that the State’s peak power demand would rise from approximately 19,529 MW in 2026-27 to 30,139 MW by 2033-34. Consequently, there is a need to proactively enhance power generation capacity to meet future requirements. Avoiding delays in approvals is crucial, as the construction of large-scale power projects typically takes five to six years, Sitarama Reddy said.

The government and TGGENCO management should expedite the process of securing the necessary administrative and technical approvals for the proposed project and commence construction work promptly.

Sitarama Reddy noted that the samithi had prepared an action plan to push for the KTPS Stage-VIII power plant. Beginning in October, it has decided to undertake a series of protests, awareness campaigns, submit representations to officials and ministers, engage local public representatives, hold relay hunger strikes and call for a ‘Paloncha Bandh’.