Press Trust Of India / New Delhi Oct 10, 2009, 00:12 IST
Vedanta Group company Sterlite Energy is believed to have bagged the country's first Ultra Mega Power Transmission (UMTP) project, breaking the decades-old monopoly of state-run PowerGrid Corporation.
"Sterlite Energy has emerged as the lowest bidder for the country's first ultra mega transmission project, to be developed by the private sector," sources in the know said.
As many as eight firms, including Anil Ambani Group company Reliance Power Transmission Ltd (RPTL) and Essar Power, had participated in the bidding process for three UMTPs worth Rs 5,650 crore.
Sterlite Energy is the lowest bidder for one project, Power Finance Corporation’s (PFC’s) East-North Interconnection. For the two others, the lowest bidders are yet to be announced. Rural Electrification Corporation and PFC had started the process of awarding the three transmission projects, Talcher Augmentation Transmission System (Talcher-II), North Karanpura Transmission System and East-North Interconnection System, in 2008.
SAFETY TRACK RECORD OF STERLITE/VEDANT IS VERY POOR:
I wonder, whether the Competent Authorities for such Mega Projects consider the Safety Standards/Safety track records of the Bidders, while finalizing the bids.
The safety track record of Sterlite/Vedant is very poor. Recently the under construction Chimney at BALCO Power Plant crashed killing more than 50 workers. The disaster was not only very fatal, but also unprecedented in the construction history, highlighting gross violation of Safety Standards for Design, Engineering and Construction.
It is unfortunate that in our Country, neither the Government nor the People attach importance to Safety requirements, leading to fatal accidents in general and in Construction sector in particular.
Content Guide
