ITANAGAR, Aug 31:Chief Minister Pema Khandu today reviewed the ongoing transmission and distribution of power being implemented by the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL). Present in the review meeting were the Chief Secretary, Commissioner Power, Commissioner Finance, Chief Engineers of state Power department and representatives of PGCIL headed by its Chairman and Managaing Director (CMD) IS Jha.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had approved the Comprehensive Scheme for Strengthening of Transmission & Distribution (T&D) Systems (CSST&DS) in Arunachal Pradesh along with Sikkim at an estimated cost of Rs.4754.42 crore. An MoU was signed between PGCIL and Government of Arunachal Pradesh for implementation of the scheme in the state in February 2015 at an estimated cost of Rs 3199.45 crores.

PGCIL CMD, IS Jha through a power point presentation gave details of the present status of the scheme. He informed 29 transmission lines (1917 kms) and 70 distribution lines (1923 kms) are being laid covering the entire state. Under the scheme 94 sub-stations are to be established of which contract works for 61 have been already awarded and work is in full swing.

Jha however informed that land for only 38 sub-stations have been made available by the state government and requested allotment of land for the rest at the earliest.

“We need land for 33 sub-stations on priority as these are necessary to further the transmission and distribution lines,” he said.

Jha said process of awarding contract for rest of the sub-stations are on but admitted due to difficult terrains and other factors response weren’t forthcoming for few.

He also cited few hurdles like forest clearance and compensation issues hampering speedy laying of the transmission and distribution lines, which the Chief Minister assured to take up with concerned authorities and local administration.

On the issue of the increase in estimated cost due to cost escalation, the Chief Minister said the state government will impress upon the Centre for a review as the scheme is under consideration by the Centre.

The state Department of Power raised the issue of capacity building of its officials as once the project is completed the PGCIL will hand it over to the department for running and maintenance. The CMD informed that there is a provision of capacity building and assured to assist the state department to avail it.

Till 2014, only 5 out of 20 districts of Arunachal Pradesh were connected to transmission network at 132/220 KV. The 33 KV system is the backbone of power distribution system in the State. Due to low population density spread over its geographical area of 84,000 sqkm, power demand in Arunachal Pradesh is scattered over large distances. Hence, the necessity was felt to provide 132 KV connectivity in the state for proper voltage management and lower distribution losses.