SCRIPS scheme may get Rs 150 cr in Odisha budget

Budget also likely to earmark Rs 519 cr for Capex

The State Budget for 2014-15 may allocate Rs 150 crore for the ambitious State Capital Region Improvement in Power System (SCRIPS) scheme.

The scheme, estimated to cost Rs 1,500 crore, is aimed at ensuring stable and uninterrupted supply of power to the consumers in Bhubaneswar involves massive overhaul of power transmission and distribution infrastructure.

Under the scheme, the power transmission and distribution infrastructure has to be revamped.

The state government plans to avail long-term loans from external donor agencies like Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Under SCRIPS, the government would go for smart grid technology. The SCRIPS scheme will also replace the existing radial connectivity in electrical network with ring connectivity to ensure uninterrupted power flow. The SCRIPS scheme also has provisions to go for underground cabling in select areas of Bhubaneswar.

The Budget is also likely to set aside Rs 250 crore for ADB assisted Odisha Power Sector Emergency Assistance Project (OPSEAP). ADB had agreed on a loan of $100 million to help rebuild power infrastructure in regions of Odisha affected by the Phailin storm that struck the southern coast on October 12 last year.

The ADB loan is meant for cyclone insulated infrastructure for transmission and distribution of electricity in the coastal zone and also for strengthening river and saline embankments.

Under OPSEAP, the state government plans to go for a smart grid power network.

A smart grid is a modernized electrical grid that uses analogue or digital information and communication technology to gather and act on information to improve the efficiency, reliability, economics, and sustainability of the production and distribution of electricity.

The ADB assisted project will be implemented in Ganjam district where the devastating cyclone Phailin had wreaked maximum damage. Around Rs 300 crore has been spent to repair and rebuild the power infrastructure in Ganjam alone where 80 per cent of 33/11 KV lines were damaged due to the cyclone. Phailin had battered nearly 1,600 km of 11 KV lines in Ganjam district while 241 km of 33 KV lines were badly damaged. The rebuilding exercise included replacement of 300 distribution sub-stations and 54 extra high tension towers. Besides, 13,000 km of low tension lines had to be repaired.

The total Plan provision for the energy department in the upcoming Budget has been pegged at Rs 4,253.42 crore. The allocation includes Rs 519.17 crore for Capital expenditure (Capex) programme meant for distribution companies (discoms), Odisha Distribution System Strengthening Project- ODSSP (Rs 1,500 crore), Nabakalebar ritual at Puri (Rs 200 crore), ultra mega power projects — UMPPs (Rs 42.25 crore), implementation of business plan of Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Ltd- OPTCL (Rs 495 crore) and Biju Gram Jyoti Yojana (Rs 50 crore).