Lucknow, May 19 -- The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet on Monday approved a new 2,400 megawatt (3x800 mw) thermal power project to be set up at Meja in Prayagraj district to meet the state's rising power demand and strengthen energy infrastructure. Involving an investment of about Rs.38,358 crore, the plant will be developed by the state-owned Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd through a joint venture with NTPC. The state cabinet also approved the proposed 765/400 kV Mirzapur Pooling Substation and associated transmission lines to facilitate power evacuation from upcoming thermal, solar and pumped storage projects. Energy minister AK Sharma said the state was moving rapidly towards energy self-reliance under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Yogi Adityanath. He said nearly 4,000 mw of thermal generation capacity had been added in the state over the past four years, doubling existing capacity, while the government was now working towards tripling it. The Mirzapur transmission project, estimated at Rs.2,799.47 crore, includes Rs.1,315.91 crore for substation and bay construction and Rs.1,483.56 crore for transmission lines. It will support connectivity for projects including thermal, solar and pumped storage units. "The projects will help ensure affordable and uninterrupted power supply to industries, farmers, traders and households," Sharma said....