KORBA Chhattisgarh (The Khatiya Khadi News):. In a significant move towards bolstering India’s energy security, industrialist Gautam Adani visited the Patadi Power Plant on the Korba-Champa route during the 77th Republic Day celebrations. The visit was marked by

a rare personal touch as the Chairman bypassed security protocols to interact directly with the ground-level employees.

Massive Expansion: A ₹15,000 Crore Boost

The visit centered on the ambitious Phase III expansion of the plant. Mr. Adani reviewed the preparations for installing two new 800 MW Ultra-Supercritical units. This expansion, estimated at a cost of ₹15,000 crore, is expected to make the facility one of the most technologically advanced power hubs in the region.

Key Highlights of the Expansion:

• Cutting-edge Technology: The new units will utilize Ultra-Supercritical technology to ensure higher efficiency and lower emissions.

• Future Planning: Mr. Adani has directed officials to evaluate the feasibility of Phase IV, which would add two more 800 MW units.

• Operational Milestone: Phase II units (660 MW) are slated to become operational by April-May 2026.

• Public Hearing: The environmental public hearing for the project is scheduled for February 27 at the Sargbundia Higher Secondary School grounds.

The “People’s Chairman” at Ground Zero

Leaving the high-level briefings aside for a moment, Mr. Adani reached out to the common workers, fostering a wave of motivation across the plant. “The Chairman’s simplicity and his willingness to listen to us directly is truly inspiring,” remarked an employee.

During his stay, Mr. Adani also performed a tree plantation ceremony, emphasizing environmental sustainability. He conducted a thorough inspection of the Control Room, Coal Handling Plant (CHP), and ongoing construction sites, taking detailed progress reports from the engineering leads.