**Subject:** Current Status of Margherita Thermal Power Project
**Summary:**
This document addresses the current status of the proposed 2x800 MW coal-based Margherita Thermal Power Project (TPP) in Upper Assam, as outlined in Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4788, answered on August 21, 2025. The Assam Power Generation Corporation Ltd. (APGCL) initially planned to develop the project with a Detailed Project Report (DPR) prepared by NTPC Ltd. in 2019, estimating a project cost of Rs. 16,850 Cr.
APGCL requested a coal linkage of 4.11 MTPA from North East coal fields of Coal India Limited (CIL) at 90% Plant Load Factor (PLF), considering coal with a Gross Calorific Value (GCV) of 6,900 kcal/Kg. However, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) advised APGCL that sufficient coal availability in the North East coal fields was unlikely to support the Margherita TPP as a pit-head plant, as originally envisioned in the DPR. CEA recommended revisiting the DPR and exploring coal sourcing from other CIL subsidiaries, such as ECL, BCCL, and CCL. APGCL was advised to approach CIL regarding coal requirements from these alternative sources, but the Ministry of Power (MoP) has received no subsequent communication from APGCL on this matter.
As of August 21, 2025, the Ministry of Power has not received any official intimation from APGCL regarding intentions to abandon the Margherita Thermal Power Project.
Key Entities Referenced
Margherita Thermal Power Project: A proposed coal-based thermal power project located in Upper Assam.
SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI: Member of LOK SABHA who raised the unstarred question about the Margherita Thermal Power Project.
Ministry of Power: The Indian governmental ministry responsible for power generation and distribution.
Assam Power Generation Corporation Limited (APGCL): The power generation company of the Government of Assam, responsible for developing the Margherita Thermal Power Project.
NTPC Ltd.: An Indian public sector undertaking, engaged in the business of generation of electricity and allied activities. Prepared the Detailed Project Report for APGCL.
Ministry of Coal (MoC): The Indian governmental ministry responsible for coal production and allocation.
Coal India Limited (CIL): An Indian state-owned coal mining company, expected to supply coal for the Margherita Thermal Power Project.
Central Electricity Authority (CEA): A statutory body advising the government on policy matters and coordinating the development of the electric power sector.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF POWER
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4788
ANSWERED ON 21.08.2025
MARGHERITA THERMAL POWER PROJECT
4788. SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI:
Will the Minister of POWER
be pleased to state:
(a) the details regarding the current status of the coal-based Margherita
Thermal Power Project in Upper Assam;
(b) the details regarding the reasons for the delay in the implementation of the
project;
(c) whether the Government of Assam has submitted a revised Detailed Project
Report for the above mentioned project and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether the Government has received any intimation from Assam Power
Generation Corporation Limited by stating that it intends to abandon the project
and if so, the reasons for the same and the future plan in this regard?
A N S W E R
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER
(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)
(a) to (c) : Assam Power Generation Corporation Ltd. (APGCL) had intended to
develop a 2x800 MW pit head coal based Thermal Power Project at Margherita.
Accordingly, Detailed Project Report (DPR) was prepared by NTPC Ltd. with the
project cost of Rs. 16,850 Cr. in Year 2019. APGCL had submitted coal linkage
request to Ministry of Coal (MoC) & Ministry of Power (MoP), for 4.11 MTPA coal
from North East coal fields of Coal India Limited (CIL) at 90% PLF, considering
coal of GCV 6,900 kcal/Kg.
Central Electricity Authority (CEA) had advised APGCL that due to non-
availability of sufficient coal in North East coal fields, it may not be possible to
develop Margherita TPP as a pit head plant as given in DPR. Therefore, APGCL
needs to revisit the DPR. And if APGCL agrees to same, then coal from other coal
companies like ECL, BCCL and CCL may be sourced. Accordingly, APGCL was
advised to approach CIL for their Coal requirement from the above-mentioned
Coal Companies. However, no communication in this regard has been received
from APGCL.
(d) : Ministry of Power has not received any intimation from APGCL regarding its
intention to abandon the project.
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