Jaisalmer: On one hand the central government in the country has launched a campaign to encourage conventional energy generation while on the other hand, the Rajasthan government is not showing any interest in setting up new power schemes. In Ramgarh area of Jaisalmer the foundation of the Fourth Phase of 160Mw gas based power project was done by then CM Ashok Gehlot in 2013 and machinery worth Rs 250 crore has also come and lying in open. These machines are getting rusted lying in open and becoming outdated. With not starting of this power project, there is disappointment among gas producing companies.

In Shahgarh bulj area in Jaisalmer, there are Huge Reserves of gas and around 2000Mw power projects can be run with these huge reserves, but due to government’s negligence, no scheme for utilisation of the gas could be made.

As per information, it is being discussed to hand over this power project to private hands. For four years, for the expansion of the fourth phase, machinery worth Rs 250 crore was ordered and it is lying for last three years. The foundation of this fourth phase was laid by then Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on june 8, 2013. After foundation, machinery for fourth phase was purchased and despite passing of 4 years of the present government no agreement for gas took place due to which the fourth unit could not be started till date.

In such situation, the machines are lying waste and becoming junk and on the other hand, interest of Rs 250 crore is being charged and thirdly insurance of these machines is being done due to which dept suffer loss worth crores of rupees every year. If this project starts, then power generation will increase and local people will get employment. At present, ramgarh gas based power station is facing government’s indifference.

Chief Engineer Virendra Singh accepted that machines for the fourth phase have come and work has not yet started and he does not know the reason as why work has not started and some senior officer from Jaipur will be in position tell about it.

Meanwhile, ONGC and private oil and gas company focus energy are exploring oil and gas in shahgarh bulj. Focus energy got huge reserves at langtala and bachiachor and these areas have so much gas reserves that power project of over 2000Mw can be easily run. Company are exploring gas in this area and many new wells are being dug, but the wells, in which huge gas reserves have been found are not being used due to which the companies are quite disappointed. Across the border, Pakistan is exploring gas and oil in large scale and it has found huge reserves of gas and generating on large scale.