Bhutan to export 2,500 MW power to India

With the commissioning of the 2,000 MW Tala hydel power project scheduled for July 2006, Bhutan is all set to start exporting 2,500 MW power to India by the year end, Bhutan ambassador to India Lyonpo Dago Tshering said on Monday.

"By the end of 2006, we will be exporting about 2,500 MW of hydel power to Indian states like West Bengal and Assam following completion of the Tala project," Tshering said at an interactive session organised by the Bengal National Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Kolkata.

The Himalayan country, he said was also coming up with three other hydel power projects - Kunatsangchhu I & II and Mangdechu - to enhance generation capacity by 2600 MW by 2012.  He said Wapcos of India was appointed to prepare the detailed project report for the three new projects.

Meanwhile, RITES is working on a rail link project to connect southern Bhutan with Assam and the Terain region in north Bengal through five transit points across the border.

''RITES is expected to submit the DPR by the year end,'' Tshering said, adding that depending on the report, plans for connecting the other regions of Bhutan would be taken up.

Bhutan has recorded 8.5 per cent GDP growth last year and was poised to witness increase in per capita income level once the new power projects come up, he said.

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