Hyderabad: The mega power equipment production plant —NTPC BHEL Power Projects Private Limited — at Mannavaram is yet to start full-scale production even after four-and-half years. Project officials say they have got a few orders and are waiting for more to start the bulk production.
The project may have to wait for at least another four months for inauguration.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has laid the foundation stone for the project in September 2010. The equipment manufacturing facility at Mannavaram, near Tirupati, was said to be one of the most prestigious projects in the state.

An official of NBPPL said, “All of the plant is constructed. We are in the process of making samples. Bulk production is yet to start and we are yet to start supplying. A formal inauguration is also awaited. We have got an MoU with APGenco for supply spare parts for power plants. Likewise we have bagged orders from NTPC. We are waiting for more orders before commencing the full-scale production. However we have taken up EPC contracts in North India worth Rs 2500 crore,”

State government has allotted 750 acres of land for the project. However state government ignored laying a road from Vempalle to plant. ‘At least a 10-km stretch of the road is very bumpy and it has to be laid on war footing. The trucks carrying heavy machinery are facing problems,” said an official.