Power Grid awaits nod for 2 projects in Afghanistan

Central transmission utility PowerGrid is awaiting Cabinet approval to start work on two substations in Afghanistan, entailing a total investment of Rs 200 crore.

The Indian government has assigned Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) to implement two power transmission projects in war-ravaged Afghanistan.

"We are waiting approval from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) to start work on two substations in neighbouring Afghanistan. These projects would be worth about Rs 200 crore," a top PGCIL official told PTI.

Once the green signal is received, these projects -- at Doshi and Charikar -- are expected to be complete in about two-and-a-half-years, he said.

"The approval (from CCEA) is likely to come by the end of this month," the official noted.

"The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has circulated the note related to the two Afghanistan substations in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO)," he added.

PGCIL, which has good international presence, has already carried out many works in Afghanistan.

The company has executed 220 kV DIG Kabul to Phule-Khumri transmission line and 220 kv substation at Kabul.

The central power utility is also offering consultancy for the construction of 220/20 kV Aybak substation in the neighbouring nation, which is funded by the World Bank.

Meanwhile, the state-run major has also completed the detailed feasibility report for the proposed interconnection between India and Sri Lanka through submarine cables.

According to the PGCIL official, the feasibility study for the Indian portion is completed while that from the Sri Lankan side is bit delayed. The project is worth about Rs 3,000 crore, he added.

In April, PGCIL entered into an agreement with Kenya Electric Transmission Company for providing assistance to develop power transmission network in the African nation.

PGCIL offers consultancy and turnkey execution services in the field of transmission, grid management and telecom for various domestic and international clients.

In the last fiscal, the company's profit after tax surged 32% to Rs 2,696.89 crore.