Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Jan 22: The ongoing work on Northern Region System Strengthening Project of laying 400 KV transmission line as alternate power exchange route between Northern Grid and the J&K State, is likely to be accomplished ahead of the scheduled time as Element- I of the mega project is all set to be completed more than one year before the completion date while progress on the Element- II is also going on with satisfactory pace.
According to the official sources, Element –I of the Project NRSS 29, from Jalandhar to Samba, is nearing completion by March this year as more than 85 percent job has been completed while the pace of work on Element -II, from Samba to Amargarh in Pattan, Kashmir, is also satisfactory with around 15 percent progress so far.
As the proposed transmission line passes through Peer Panjal hills (altitude 3505 m) in Poonch-Rajouri, the executing agency is planning to use heli-cranes (choppers) for erection of pre-assembled towers in the tough and hostile terrain. In this regard, sources said, necessary administrative formalities as well as negotiations with a foreign Civil Aviation firm, are under progress and this will be for the first time not only in India but entire Asia that heli cranes are being used for installing Power transmission towers.
Once completed, the project will enable more than 1000 MW of power exchange between J&K and the Northern Grid thus providing relief to the State by ensuring continuous power to J&K even during extreme weather conditions. It will also give provision for further expansion to meet the growing energy needs of the States.
The line will pass through 11 major towns and districts of J&K affecting lives of over 1.25 crores of population. The multiplier effects of power will boost the State’s economy by creating employment, promoting business and attracting new growth avenues.
The requirement of the project was advocated by the J&K State in Northern Region Power Committee (NRPC) and Standing Committee while JKPDD along with SPDC, CEA and PGCIL etc were integral part of the committee to evaluate the project, which is being executed by NRSS-29 Transmission Limited, on Build Own Operate & Maintenance (BOOM) basis for 35 years.
Scheduled commissioning of Element -I of the project (400 KV DC Transmission Line from Jalandhar to Samba) is June 4, 2017 while completion date of Element -II, comprising 400 KV DV transmission Line from Samba to Amargarh, LILO (Loop In Loop Out) of Uri-Wagoora, at Amargarh and 400/220KV 630 MVA GIS Substation at Amargarh, is October 4, 2018.
On Jalandhar-Samba Line (27 kms in J&K territory having total 77 proposed towers), 47 towers have been erected and 70 foundations are ready so far, informed Swarn Singh, Project Head NRSS-29.
On Samba-Amargarh Line (274 kms with proposed 759 towers), 60 towers have been erected so far and around 200 foundations are ready while work on land acquisition for GIS Sub-station at Amargarh is going on, Mr Singh further said and added that land acquisition process in other places like Baramulla, Budgam, Pulwama, Poonch, Rajouri, Reasi, Samba, Kathua and Jammu was in advanced and different stages.
Similarly, Forest permission for tree cutting is also in advanced stage while Wildlife clearance for the proposal has already been obtained from NBWL during the meeting held on November 4, 2015.
Despite hostile weather conditions, in which the executing agency is getting only 4 to 5 working months in a year with hardly 4 -5 working hour a day for a 50 Km stretch, the NRSS- XXIX Transmission Limited is confident to complete the line ahead of schedule. “Except weather conditions, there is apparently no major bottleneck because of all possible cooperation by the State administration and the initiatives of former Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh, who did take personal interest in execution of the project,” said the Project Head.
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