800 MW ultra-supercritical unit cleared for Yamunanagar’s thermal plant

In a major accomplishment within its first 100 days in office, the Haryana Government, led by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, has achieved environmental clearance for the installation of a new 800 MW ultra-supercritical unit at the Deen Bandhu Chhotu Ram Thermal Power Plant (DCRTPP) in Pansara village, Yamunanagar district.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change granted the environmental clearance on January 20, 2025. The following day, Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited (HPGCL) successfully obtained the consent to establish (CTE) from the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB), clearing the path for construction to begin. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has been awarded the tender to build the unit at an estimated cost of Rs 6,900 crore.

Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana hailed the project as a significant achievement. “This power plant is a major gift for the residents of Yamunanagar district. It will bring prosperity to the area, stimulate local industries like stone crushers and generate both direct and indirect employment opportunities,” said Rana.

The new 800 MW ultra-supercritical unit will complement the existing 600 MW coal-based thermal unit at DCRTPP. The project aims to meet Haryana's growing electricity demand while providing a boost to local industries and creating jobs. Notably, the land for the thermal plant was acquired from 15 villages several years ago.

The DCRTPP first commenced operations with a 300 MW unit in April 2008. Now, the addition of the new unit is expected to provide much-needed power to the state’s expanding population and economy.

However, the expansion has raised concerns among nearby residents. Neeraj Saini, a local from Isharpur village, voiced his community's ongoing struggles with the existing plant. “Besides several issues, fly ash from the plant has been a major problem for us. It damages our crops and green fodder and we can’t even dry our clothes outside after washing them. The government must address these issues,” Saini explained.

Despite the challenges, DCRTPP's Superintending Engineer Amit Bhalla assured that environmental measures were being taken. "Following the environmental clearance and consent to establish, we are proceeding with the project as planned. We are committed to minimising the plant’s impact on the surrounding environment,” he said.

As the project progresses, the Haryana Government is expected to focus on addressing the environmental concerns while ensuring the timely development of the new unit, which is poised to become a key player in Haryana’s power generation infrastructure.