Hyderabad, Aug 31 - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will Sep 6 lay the foundation stone for the Rs.60 billion (Rs.6,000 crore) mega project to manufacture power plant equipment in Andhra Pradesh's Chittoor district.

NTPC-BHEL Power Projects Private Limited (NBPPL), a joint venture between National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) and Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL), is setting up the project at Mannavarm village near the temple town of Srikalahasti.

The prime minister will arrive in the temple town of Tirupati on Sep 5. After an overnight stay and prayers at Lord Venkateshwara temple, he will proceed to Mannavarm to participate in the foundation stone laying ceremony and address a public meeting.

Chief Minister Y.S. Rajashekara Reddy Monday told state legislative assembly the two Navaratna public sector undertakings have joined hands to set up a green field plant to manufacture equipment for thermal, hydro and gas based power plants.

The state bagged the prestigious project in May despite competition from other states like West Bengal and Maharashtra.

The project, the biggest public sector investment in the state after Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, is expected to provide direct employment to 6,000 people and indirect employment to another 25,000 people to 30,000 people.