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The commissioning of the 727 MW (2x 363.3 MW) gas-based capacities of ONGC Tripura Power Company (OTPC) is running marginally behind the schedule.
According to sources, EPC contractor BHEL is now expecting to complete the commissioning of the first 363.3 MW unit at Palatana in Tripura in February, two months behind the scheduled deadline of December 2011.
Though BHEL has not submitted a revised timeline for the second unit, OTPC sources are expecting identical delays on the same too. The second 363.3 MW unit is scheduled to be on stream in March 2012.
“Considering the complexity of the project, this is no major delay,” a source pointed out.
Considered as a milestone in the history of project commissioning in the entire North Eastern region, OTPC required transfer of heavy over-dimensional cargoes through the neighbouring Bangladesh. The entire processes required amendment to existing transport treaties between India and Bangladesh.
Blessings in disguise
The delay in commissioning, however, may be considered as a blessings in disguise for the project, as the 661-km-long Palatana-Silchar(Assam)-Bongaigaon (Assam) transmission facility to evacuate the power is yet to be ready. The Rs 1,800-crore evacuation facility is implemented by North-East Power Transmission Company (NEPTC), a joint venture between OTPC, Power Grid and the beneficiary States.
Of the total project, 246 km, Palatana-Silchar segment will be able to evacuate the entire generation of the first unit. According to available information, NEPTC is yet to get the requisite clearances from the State as well as Union Ministry of Environment and Forests for laying transmission lines over 81 km forested stretch in Tripura. Clearances are also not in place for 8-km stretch in Assam.
OTPC sources are, however, confident that the Palatana-Silchar segment will be completed before the first unit is on stream.
The challenges before commissioning of 415-km Silchar-Bongaigaon leg passing through Assam and Meghalaya are even uphill. While crossing the mighty rivers in the region is a technological challenge, NEPTC is yet to get clearances from MoEF for covering vast rain forest zones in this stretch.
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