Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has emphasized the need to bridge the gap between power supply and generation for achieving higher rate of economic growth on a sustainable basis.Speaking after laying foundation stone to NTPC-BHEL Power Project Limited at Mannavaram near Srikalahasthi in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, Dr Manmohan Singh said an ambitious plan has been drawn for enhancing power generation capacity in the country during 11th and 12th paln period.The Plant area has been named as YSR Puram, after former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Y S Rajasekhara Reddy. Andhra Pradesh Governor E S L Narasimhan, Union Power Minister Susheel Kumar Shinde, Heavy Industries Minister Vilas Rao Deshmukh and many other dignitaries were present on the occasion.The power equipment Manufacturing Plant at Mannavaram is a joint venture between NTPC and BHEL and will manufacture power generation equipment like turbines, boilers and generators. It is going to be set up at a cost of Rs. 6000 crore. The Government of Andhra Pradesh has allocated over 750 acres of land besides providing infrastructure facilities for the plant which is expected to provide direct employment to 6,000 people and over 30,000 indirectly. The first batch of the equipment is expected to be commissioned by next year while the second batch is to come out by March 2012.The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for the Tirupati International Airport later in the day. During his day-long visit to Tirupati, the Prime Minister will offer worship to Lord Sri Venkateswara, at Tirumala.