The Hindu Business Line : PowerGrid bags Afghan order for transmission project

POWER Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL), a Government of India enterprise, has bagged a transmission project in Afghanistan worth about Rs 479 crore.

PGCIL and Ministry of External Affairs entered into an agreement to this effect on Friday.

The entire expenditure on the project shall be borne by the Indian Government as part of the assistance programme to Afghanistan.

The project would strengthen the Indian presence and involvement in the reconstruction process in Afghanistan as well as enhance the international profile of the corporation.

The project comprises construction of 220 KV double circuit transmission line from Pul-e-Khumri to Kabul, a distance of 202 km, and a new 220/110/20 KV sub-station at Kabul.

It will enable Afghanistan to import power from generating stations in Uzbekistan to Kabul to bridge the gap in demand and supply.

Materials weighing about 15,000 MT required for the project would be transported from India to Afghanistan by sea via Bandar Abbas port in Iran and thereafter by road in Afghanistan along a distance of 2,500 km.

PGCIL has taken up route alignment, survey, and soil investigation work.

The tenders for the procurement of goods and services required for the construction of the project are likely to be finalised in a month.

The design, including testing of all five types of towers, has also been completed.

A team of senior personnel from PGCIL has been deputed to Kabul to set up office and take up pre-construction activities.

The project is scheduled for completion by February 2009.

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