Kolkata: The construction of the Turga pump storage power plant in the Purulia district of Bengal is likely to begin by 2021. Speaking about the project, chairman of West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company, Rajesh Pandey said: "The process of engaging foreign consultant has been initiated and we will be floating the tender soon for this project. The construction of the Turga pump storage power plant will begin by 2021 and should end by 2026." Pandey also said Japan has provided a loan of Rs 5000 crore to the Bengal government for the upcoming project.
Meanwhile, recently speaking at the inauguration ceremony of an exhibition titled Built Environment: An Alternative Guide To Japan at Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Counsel-General of Japan Masayuki Taga said: "We are coordinating with the government of West Bengal to build the pump station in Purulia, which is one of the most large-scale projects undertaken by the governments of both the countries."
Taga further said since thermal power cannot be preserved in large amounts, there are power cuts during the peak season as the supply cannot be met with the high demand.
"Unlike Bhutan or Nepal, West Bengal is largely not a mountainous area and so there is a dearth of continuous source of running water, except for the rainy seasons when the rivers are full and swell. But during the winter season, when the rivers are comparatively dry, the situation is rather grave. So, there is a need for such pump storage power plants which can provide water 24*7", he said. The exhibition, which is being held from February 15 to February 26, displays the various constructions within the country such as houses, bridges, dams, plants, and others, through photographs, texts and videos. It aims to showcase the Japanese architectural marvel of the modern era of the late 19th century till the present. The timings of the exhibition are from 3pm to 8pm.
India and Japan have had a long history of bilateral development cooperation and also the economic cooperation between the countries has steadily progressed in the last few years, he said. The government of Bengal and Japan are also coordinating in the construction of the East-West metro corridor in the city, considered to be one of the biggest ongoing infrastructure project.