Patna, Jan. 24: The state government today asked Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (Bhel) to expedite the modernisation work at the Kanti and Barauni units to help it start power generation by June 2012.

The government today reviewed the ongoing renovation work with Bhel chairman-cum-managing director B.P. Rao. A source said the project had been delayed because of the shortfall in funds. But the flow of funds has now been revived and the project is back on track, said a source.

Bhel has been entrusted with the job of carrying out renovation and modernisation work of each of the two 110MW of thermal power plants at Kanti and Barauni.

Once these plants start functioning, the state would add a total of 440MW of electricity in its kitty. This is crucial for the industrial and agricultural development of the state, said a source.

State energy minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav today held a review meeting of the work along with Rao, energy department principal secretary Ravikant and Bihar State Electricity Board (BSEB) chairman P.K. Rai.Rao also had a meeting with chief secretary Anup Mukerjee after the review at Kanti and Barauni.

“The meeting was convened to review the progress at both these units. The units would start generating power by June 2012,” Ravikant told The Telegraph.

On being asked about the reason behind the delay in the execution of the work, Ravikant said the planning commission initially sanctioned Rs 560 crore in 2006 for the project. But that was inadequate and thus the project was delayed.

But the planning commission has sanctioned Rs 1,053 crore in November 2009.

Rai told The Telegraph: “BHEL has been asked to expedite the work as both Kanti and Barauni thermal power plants are running three and four months behind their schedule respectively.”