Full scale ops after completion of transmission line: OTPC

"At present, we are generating about 100 MW which is being distributed in Tripura, but full scale generation is possible only after the transmission line is drawn up to Bongaigaon for connecting with the national grid," OTPC General Manager S K Dubey told PTI.

The project located at Palatana in Gomati district.

Dubey said the transmission line was drawn up to Silchar and if it could be drawn up to Birnihat in Assam by March next, the power could be distributed to other north-eastern states.

He said, drawing the transmission lines through hilly terrains and forests is an uphill task but its progress is satisfactory.

Four north-eastern states -- Assam, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Manipur -- will buy power from the 726 MW Palatana power plants and the Northeast Power Trading Company has already started erecting transmission line from Palatana to Bongaigaon in Assam.

He said 2.6 million standard cubic metre of gas per day (mmscmd) would be required when it would start generation in full scale and added it would take a few months more to make it fully operational.

The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has cleared the proposal for setting up transmission line of the upcoming project.

Meanwhile, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar yesterday inaugurated a Rs 80 crore 400/132 K V Grid sub-station at Surjyamani Nagar near here which would help distribution of power in other parts of the state from Palatana power project.

The Chief Minister said Tripura would get 196 MW power from the Palatana project on its full scale generation.

Dubey said the Tripura Government had cooperated fully in erecting the project.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had laid the foundation stone for the project, Palatana, 60 km from the capital, Agartala in 2005.