Central Electricity Authority asks implementing agencies to expedite work to strengthen transmission infrastructure
Faizan Wani
Srinagar, Nov 20 (KNO): The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has directed implementation agencies to expedite the work on ambitious Rs 1189 crore power transmission plan in Jammu & Kashmir citing most of the projects were running behind the schedule.
According to minutes of the meeting chaired by Chief Engineer (Power System Project Monitoring)Central Electricity Authority on August 9 this year to review the progress and constraint associated with intra-state transmission projects being executed in J&K under Prime Minister Development Package-2015, the central authorities expressed concern over pace of implementation of the projects.
“Chief Engineer emphasized that J&K Power Development Department (JKPDD) & Rural Electrification Power Transmission Corporation Limited(RECPTCL) should expedite the process of awarding the contract for remaining elements and JKPDD should expedite the process of handing over of land to executing agencies and to take up the matter of land acquisition with concerned authority to avoid further delay in implementation of projects leading to time & cost over-run.
He further requested JKPDD, RECPTCL and Power Grid Corporation of India Limited to expedite the construction activity as most of the projects are running behind schedule,” reads the minutes of the meeting, a copy of which is available with wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
A Rs 1189 crore plan was formulated in January 2017 for strengthening transmission network in J&K under the PMDP. The plan was formulated to cater to a projected peak demand of 3095 MW at the end of plan period (2017-22).
It was also conceived for evacuation of power from upcoming generation projects proposed to be commissioned during this plan period. The plan aimed to strengthen existing transmission infrastructure by way of adding adequate transformation capacities at 22 0kV and 132 levels and constructing new extra high-voltage transmission lines and associated sub-stations.
The projects under the plan were to be completed within 30 months from date of sanction. The projects are being implemented through PGCIL, RECPTL and JKPDD. Under the PMDP, the Central government has approved projects with an outlay of Rs 80000 crore for infrastructure development and rehabilitation of 2014’s flood victims.
As per KNO, the plan was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a public rally on November 7, 2015. In the past few years, the state government has come under criticism from different quarters over the pace of implementation of the development package.
