IMPHAL, Oct 23: The state is going to introduce composite scheme for the development of intra-state transmission and distribution network of power supply in the north-east region as already proposed by the Central government for enabling the state to have regular power supply in the state by next year.
The matter has been considered by the state government in its recent cabinet meeting and approved for the implementation of the scheme in the nearest future.
According to an official source, the composite scheme of the development of the intra-state transmission and distribution network system in the north-eastern states have been proposed by the Centre to various north-eastern stated where substantial shortage of power has been recorded.
The Central proposal envisages the development of transmission and distribution network ranging from 400 KV to 33 KV system in the north-east region including Sikkim.
The scheme once implemented will improve the existing system and enhance its reliability in the region tremendously. The total scheme based on the third quarter 2009 PL is Rs 9890.16 crores for whole nine states of north-east which include Rs 727.67 crores for the state of Manipur.
As per the official recommendation on the part of implementing the project there will be stringing of 485 km of new 132 KV line, installation of four nos. of 132/33 KV new sub-stations at Thoubal, Tipaimukh, Tamenglong and Gamphajol including augmentation of existing sub-stations with capacity addition of 185 MVA, stringing of 2291 km of new 33 KV line, installation of 54 nos. of 33/11 KV sub-stations including augmentation of existing sub-stations with capacity adding of 244 MVA.
The official source mentioned that the state government has accepted the implementation of the said project after realizing the feasibility of one PGCIL 132 KV sub-station at Imphal upgradable to 400 KV has been already planned to be connected to Silchar through 400 KV D/C line (initially charged at 132 KV ) as a part of Palltana and Bongaigaon transmission system. The proposed line capacity will be sufficient enough to meet the demands of the state for the next decade also. Thus, Manipur would be strongly connected with the neighbouring states. However, the existing transmission and distribution network in the state which are already weak and more than 20 years old will not be handled the ever increasing demand of power supply in the state.
The proposed scheme shall ensure a reliable and very strong transmission and distribution network in the state and sufficient to handle the demands for the next 20 years also.
The official source further said while implementing the very new project in the state the component of the loan being Manipur’s share to be posed to the World Bank for the scheme is Rs 618.52 crores which is 85 percent of the project cost and the balance Rs 109.15 crores will be the equity of the project which constitute 15 percent of then totalk tentative project cost of Manipur (Rs 727.67 crores). Out of the proposed World Bank loan of Rs 618.52 crores, according to the prevailing policy of Government of India to support special category state like Manipur, Rs 556.67 crores which is 90 percent of the loan amount will be converted as grant and the balance 10 percent amounting to Rs 61.85 crores only will remain as loan component of the project component for Manipur.
The official source further mentioned that out of the equity requirement of Rs 109.15 crores for the implementation of scheme in the state which is 15 percent of the project cost, the state government is required to contribute Rs 36.38 crores which is one-third of the total requirement (5% of the project cost). It has been indicated by the Ministry of DoNER, Government of India that the remaining equity requirement of Rs 72.77 crores which is 2/3 of the equity requirement (10 % of the project cost) will be provided by the Government of India as 100 % grant.
Agreeing all the compliments and directives of the Central government for the implementation of the scheme the state government has started preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR), process for taking forest clearances, acquisition for lands for new sub-stations and process for taking debt sustainability clearance from the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
The official source mentioned that the scheme if implemented would ensure supply of reliable and good quality power to all sections of consumers and provide open access facilities through development of a strong and reliable transmission and distribution system in the state.
The state government has given a green signal to the Centre after taking the cabinet decision for the implementation of the scheme which will be initiated by the beginning of the next financial year 2011-12 in the state, the official source added.