PM Modi Inaugurates Mega Buxar Thermal Power Plant

GAYA, INDIA — In a significant stride towards strengthening India’s energy infrastructure and bolstering development in Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday virtually inaugurated the first 660 MW unit of the 1320 MW Thermal Power Project located at Chausa in the Buxar district. The ceremony, conducted from Bodh Gaya, was part of a larger event where projects worth over ₹13,000 crore were launched or had their foundation stones laid.

Built with supercritical technology, the plant is designed for high efficiency and minimal environmental impact. With a total project cost of ₹13,756.56 crore, it is set to generate 9,828.72 million units of electricity annually. A substantial 85 per cent of this power has been allocated to Bihar under a long-term Power Purchase Agreement, a move that will significantly enhance power availability, reduce peak-hour shortages, and fuel industrial growth in the state.

The inauguration event saw the presence of a host of dignitaries, including Bihar Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, along with several Union and state ministers. Senior power sector officials, such as Power Secretary Pankaj Aggarwal and SJVN Chairman & Managing Director Bhupender Gupta, were also in attendance.

The project’s construction provided a major fillip to the nation’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) vision, utilising a significant amount of domestically produced steel and cement. It also played a crucial role in local employment, providing jobs for approximately 5,000 workers annually during its construction phase. The plant’s operation is expected to continue supporting direct and indirect employment and boosting allied sectors in the region, such as transport and hospitality services.

This project marks a new milestone in SJVN’s diversified portfolio, which now spans hydro, thermal, wind, and solar power. The Buxar plant is set to be a key driver of economic and social progress, ensuring reliable and affordable power for the people of Bihar and contributing to the region’s overall development.

The Buxar Thermal Power Project is expected to bring immense benefits to the region, including:

• Enhanced Energy Security: Bihar will see a substantial increase in its own power generation capacity, leading to more stable and reliable electricity supply.

• Economic Growth: Reliable power is a key catalyst for industrial development, attracting investment and creating job opportunities, both directly and indirectly.

• Infrastructure Development: The project has spurred the development of local infrastructure, including roads and water supply systems.

The project is a joint venture between  SJVN Thermal Private Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVNL), a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Power,  and the Bihar State Power Generation Company Ltd (BSPGCL). Its successful commissioning marks a major achievement for India’s power sector and a new chapter of progress for the people of Bihar.