Significantly, by Diwali, the State will have an additional 500 MW power, when the second unit is commissioned. By March next year all the four units are scheduled to become operational giving the State additional power supply of 1,000 MW. The first unit commissioned today will cater to the peak power load requirements.

A marvel in engineering technology, the fourth stage of the Koyna Hydro Electric Project has incorporated state of the art features, like first high head Francis turbine, micro processor based protection system, use of power cables of 420 KW which is for the first time in the country. Gas insulated switch (stage four) was conceived way back in 1965, but the actual surveys were started in 1984. The electro mechanical work started in 1989.

The cost of the project is Rs. 1,200 crore. Rane, while describing the stage four of the project as one of the wonders of the world congratulated the entire engineering staff, the contractors for completion of the work. Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde who also holds the power portfolio described the project as a little world below the ground.

Munde said that the State Government has taken a policy decision of inviting investment for hydroelectric power generation projects of small capacities. Power generated from hydro projects would be provided at cheaper costs, he said.

Rane affirmed that the State would become self-sufficient in power generation by the year 2003. Chief engineer of the Koyna Hydro Electric Project Shrikant Huddar said that after stage four of the project is completed, the total power generation by March next year would be 1,920 MW.

While recalling the challenge faced in stage four of the project in which nearly 30 persons lost their lives, Huddar said that the project was the pride of the State. The project has 25 tunnels spread over a length of 42 km. He affirmed that more projects would be implemented to take the total power generation to 2500 MW.

On the occasion, engineers and contractors were felicitated. Rane released a special memento and video cassette of the work on the fourth phase including the tapping of the Shivsagar lake of the Koyna reservoir. The lake tapping, was done in March this year. Among those present on the occasion were Irrigation Minister Eknathrao Khadse, and senior officials of the irrigation department as well as the Koyna Hydro Electric Project.