An official release said the dam and the plant was the first of its kind in the State and only the second in the country to be set up completely with indigenous technology.

The power plant would add to the State's production capacity by as much as 120 megawatt, the release said.

Patel commissioned the plant at a simple function held there. It was attended by a number of senior Gujarat Electricity Board officials as well as political leaders.

Patel announced on the occasion that the State would be initiating its best possible efforts to meet the State's demand for 10,000 megawatt by the year 2002. The government was considering opening power production to include private sector companies as well, he added. Besides others, Member of Parliament Gopalsinh Solanki, MLA Mansinh Bhamat and GEB chairman Nalin Bhatt addressed the gathering.