R-Infra plant to shut down when RIL cuts supply

Anil Ambani Group firm Reliance Infrastructure has informed RIL that it will shut its Samalkot power plant for maintenance later this month,coinciding with the Mukesh Ambani-run firms notice of suspension of natural gas supplies over payment defaults.

Reliance Infra has sent a letter to Reliance Industries on September 24,informing it of the shutdown of the 220 MW power plant in Andhra Pradesh for maintenance to September 28 instead of a day earlier. Reliance Infra had incidentally also challenged on September 24 the RIL notice for suspension of gas supplies over non-payment of marketing margins,estimated at about Rs 12 lakh,while terming the action as malafide.

When contacted,the company spokesperson said the 35-day shutdown from September 20 was planned way back in April and the Andhra Pradesh government was informed accordingly. However,the shutdown was deferred by 7 days on the request of the state government and a further adjustment of a day was made to accommodate the experts who were to fly from Italy.