Malkangiri: The Odisha government plans to upgrade the hydro power project at Balimela in Malkangiri district to produce more electricity.
This was stated by Deputy Chief Minister KV Singhdeo during a visit to the district on Monday. Singhdeo went around Balimela hydro power project and then held a review meeting with its officials and local representatives.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, the deputy chief minister, who also holds Energy portfolio, said the government aimed at supplying electricity at a cheaper rate to the people of the district by upgrading the Balimela project.
“A floating power project would be constructed in Balimela reservoir. It would produce electricity from solar power. Around 600 mw more electricity is targeted to be produced from the project,” he said.
Stating that latest technology would be used in the new project, Singhdeo said it is targeted to be completed by 2031 if permission from the Forest department is issued in time.
Later, Singhdeo attended a review meeting of district agriculture department at Malkangiri and inaugurated an exhibition of farm appliances and equipment in the town.