Orissa pins hope on TFC grant to improve power infrastructure

The Orissa government has sought Rs 5,000 crore grant from the Thirteenth Finance Commission (TFC) to upgrade its power infrastructure.

Out of this, Rs 1800 crore is meant for improving the transmission system alone.

This was revealed by state minister for energy, Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak in the state assembly. Replying to an adjournment motion on low voltage problem and power blackout in several parts of the state due to non-replacement of transformers, he said, improvement of the power infrastructure needs huge funding which is beyond the capacity of the state government.

Admitting to incidents of low voltage and power blackout at several places, he attributed the problem to the increased demand for power from the industries and the rural electrification work taken up under the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) and Biju Gran Jyoti Yojana (BGJY).

High power grids are being set up to solve the low voltage problem. Out of the 91 high voltage grid sub-stations proposed to be set up in various locations, the installation of thirty three 132/33 grid sub-stations have been completed and the work on 23 more grid sub-stations is likely to start soon.

He said, though the state was supposed to get 1048 Mw from the Central sector, the actual availability is about 810 Mw, mainly due to the non-availability of sufficient coal. A meeting of the officials of the Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd. (MCL) was held recently and the company was urged to improve coal supply. Similarly, 267 transformers have become defunct in the state and steps are being taken to replace them.

Stating that the work on IB-Meramundali line is expected to be completed by December this year, Nayak said, the work will start soon on the Bhawanipatna-Nuapada line, for which the tendering process has begun.

He said, the Orissa Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) has advised the private distribution companies operating in the state to improve power transmission.

The distribution companies have replaced 8445 transformers, but this is not adequate, he observed.

The minister said, various steps are being taken to encourage the public and private utilities to generate more power.

The work on the proposed expansion of IB Thermal (unit-3&4) and Orissa Thermal Power Corporation Ltd and three projects of NTPC is going to start soon.

Besides, the state government will provide the required facilities for the setting up of an Ultra Mega Power Plant (UMPP) by the Centre.

Earlier, the Opposition members expressed their concern pertaining to the long delay in replacement of transformers, poor conditions of the transmission lines and absence of infrastructure for evacuation of power from Jharsuguda and non availability of quality power in rural areas.

Some members also suggested for setting up of a task force to study the low voltage problem in the state and suggest measures for action