Plan panel sets target for core sector

“We are setting a target of building up power generation capacity of 20359 megawatts during the current fiscal. This is a milestone we have set in the power sector during 2010-11,” Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia told repoters here.

Currently the country has an installed power capacity of about 160,000 megawatts. The major chunk of power generation capacity during the current fiscal is proposed to be made by the public sector both at the central and state level.

For instance power generation capacity to the tune of 109498 million units is proposed to be built up by the private sector during 2010-11 while the central and state public sectors are expected to build up power generation capacity of 340189 million units and 381082 million units respectively. In the road and transport sector the Plan Panel set a target of building roads to the tune of more than 35,680 kms across the country under the National Highway Development Project (NHDP) during 2010-11.

In regard to the popular Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, Ahluwalia said an outlay of Rs 22,000 crore had been provided to the Ministry of Rural Development for development of rural roads during 2010-11 and added “We hope this target will be achieved”.

In regard to civil aviation sector, the Planning Commission set a target of investment of Rs 2635.61 crore for development of airports in various parts of the country through Public Private Partnership (PPP) route during 2010-11.

In case of development of ports the Plan Panel set a target of investment of Rs 13891,19 crore through PPP route during the current fiscal.

Similarly in case of Railways the Plan Panel set targets in various crucial areas like building of new lines, movement of freight and passengers, building of locomotives, wagons and coaches. For instance, it set a target of building of new lines of 1019 km during the current fiscal.