Omkareshwar (MP): Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on August 30 said his government was committed to provide electricity to all villages by 2007.

"Jahan andhera hai, wahan mrityu hai, jahan jeevan hai, wahan prakash hai (Where there is darkness, there is death. Where there is life, there is light)," Vajpayee said after laying the foundation stone of the 520 MW Omkareshwar hydel project.

The Prime Minister expressed concern at the stagnation in hydel power generation and said an additional 34,000 MW of hydel power was targeted during the 10th and 11th plan as against 27,000 MW generated so far.

Vajpayee said to give a boost to minor hydel projects coming up in various states, the Power Ministry is preparing a feasibility report for implementing 162 small hydel projects in 16 sates having a cumulative capacity of 5,000 MW.

The Prime Minister said the Omkareshwar project, which would cost over Rs 2,200 crore, was expected to be completed by end of 2007.

These projects along with the 1,000 MW Indira Sagar hydel power project scheduled to be completed in the state by the end of 2004 would to a great extent help the state in overcoming its power shortages, he said.

"Madhya Pradesh, which at one point of time was a power surplus state, has now got a deficit of over 1,550 MW. The state will be able to overcome its problems after the completion of Indira Sagar and other power projects," Vajpayee said.

He also called for co-operation between the states and Centre to implement various power projects.

The Prime Minister said the ratio of hydel to the total power generation of the country should be enhanced from the current level of 25:75, as hydel power was environment-friendly and non-polluting source of energy.

He said the completion of Omkareshwar power project would lead to a "green revolution" in the state, besides providing additional employment opportunities in the state.

PTI