ITD reaffirms commitment to complete Koldam project in Himachal Pradesh by end of 2012
Italian Thai Development ( ITD ) Public Co Ltd, main contractor of Koldam Hydroelectric Power project of 800 MW, has told Thaiindia.net that the project in Bilaspur district , Himachal Pradesh will be completed by the end of 2012.
On 16 Sept, Pisan Manawapat, Ambassador of Thailand to India, was accompanied by Dr. Nattawuth Udayasen, Vice President of ITD, to Bilaspur District, Himalchan Pradesh. On their way to the construction site on Satluj river, Dr Nattawuth and Ambassador Pisan paid a call on Mr. S.C. Gupta, Engineer and General Manager of NTPC ( National Thermal Power Corporation Limited ), Indian largest power company, who is ITD's employer.
Ambassador Pisan expressed the Thai Government's appreciation to NTPC for placing confidence in the Thai construction company, stressed ITD's excellent record of achievement in various infrastructure projects all over India and reiterated ITD's commitment to deliver the quality work by the end of 2012.
The Thai ambassador also told chief engineer Gupta that ITD would also be very grateful for the continued understanding and fullest support of NTPC to overcome challenges as it strives to complete the Koldam project as planned.
Mr Gupta said NTPC has always shown support and understanding of the difficulty ITD had encountered and stands ready to be ITD's good partner in realizing the project without delay. Mr. Gupta expressed appreciation for the visit of the Thai ambassador and would wish to extend further hospitality for this and future visits.
Once completed, Koldam will be India's second highest dam capable of supplying power to Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, UP, Himachal Pradesh, J & K and Chandigarh. ITD, Thailand's leading construction company, has subcontracted various construction works to at least 41 Indian companies and is employing thousands of Indian workers. The original contract value was Rs 6,645,555,021.
Later on, the Thai ambassador and his party visited the Thai camp site to meet with many of the 100 Thai engineers and staff of ITD. He was welcomed by Mr. Prasit Ratanaramig, project director at the camp site who on the next day escorted the Thai Embassy team on a tour of various sites of the project for almost 2 hours.
Praphan Samphaiworakit
20 September 2011
