Ranchi, Dec. 2: Union power ministry is thinking of increasing the capacity of a proposed ultra mega power plant (UMPP) in Tilaiya in Hazaribagh district, fresh bids for which are likely to be announced soon.

"The ministry of power is thinking of upgrading the capacity of the power plant to anything between 6,000MW to 8,000MW. We have been apprised about it. Very soon the power ministry would come out with fresh bids," state energy department principal secretary S.K.G. Rahate told The Telegraph on Tuesday.

The project, the fate of which was discussed at yesterday's review meeting chaired by the chief minister, has been hanging fire since the last six years. It took a final blow in April following Reliance Power serving a contract termination notice to the government, citing inordinate delays in acquisition of land and other clearances.

At a November 3 meeting in Delhi between the (future) procurers of electricity from the Tilaiya plant, Union power ministry and state energy department officials decided to accept the termination notice served by the previous developers, Reliance Power.

"The ministry of power can now start the process of re-bidding for the ambitious project so as to appoint a new developer and start work on the ground," said Rahate.