Tuesday, May 31 2005 10:03 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: US conglomerate General Electric (GE) yesterday (May 30, 2005) said it would join a team from NTPC and BHEL to determine the course of action for restarting and completing the defunct Dabhol Power project in Maharashtra.

"As soon as arrangements are complete at the site, GE Energy would dispatch its engineers and technical advisors to examine the turbines and related equipment," GE President and CEO, Scott Bayman said in a release in Mumbai.

Based on these evaluations and the findings of NTPC and BHEL related to the balance of the plant, a detailed work scope and schedule for restart of phase one and completion of phase two would be established, it said.

"GE is pleased with the course of discussions with various stakeholders in DPC and looks forward to a complete resolution of the outstanding issues," Bayman said.

GE along with Bechtel holds about 85 per cent stake in the Dabhol power project, which is defunct for about five years now.

The decision to join hands with NTPC and BHEL follows soon after India visit of GE Chairman Jeffrey Immelt in which he met the Prime Minister and other Union Ministers, it said.

"We are keen to put Dabhol behind us, assist with bringing power to the people of Maharashtra and pursue our growth initiatives across a wide range of business sectors in the country," Bayman added.