Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, June 2: In yet another example of inefficiency and ineptitude ruling the roost in the Power Development Department, the multi-crore 400 KV Sub-Station established at Samba by the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) has been lying unused during the past over two months due to the failure of PDD to set-up power evacuation network, which was otherwise required to be given top priority right from the day when work on the Sub-Station was taken up.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that the work on 400 KV Sub-Station was taken up about two years back and the same was completed in the month of March this year. On March 31, the Sub-Station having connectivity with the Northern Grid was charged by the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited and the State Government was conveyed that the Sub-Station was ready to be put to use provided the power evacuation network is established.
Astonishingly, the Power Development Department of the State Government, which had the responsibility to lay 220 KV transmission lines for loop-in and loop-out with existing Gladni-Hiranagar and Bishnah-Hiranagar lines, never paid serious attention towards setting up of power evacuation network during the last two years, sources regretted.
Finding itself in the dock for sleeping over the matter the PDD recently approached the PGCIL and while expressing inability to set-up 220 KV transmission lines sought estimates from the Power Grid for executing this task, sources informed, adding PGCIL has furnished estimates of Rs 18.50 crore for the laying of transmission line but the formal agreement between PDD and PGCIL over this vital issue has yet not been signed.
“It is a matter of serious concern as to why the inability was not conveyed to the PGCIL at the start of the work on Sub-Station. Had this been done at that time the power evacuation network would have been in place with the completion of work on Sub-Station”, sources said, adding “as the lack of accountability and inefficiency are crossing all the barriers Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah should take the issue very seriously as he has repeatedly been laying stress on the proper planning particularly in the power sector”.
About the importance of the 400 KV Sub-Station, sources said, “at present Jammu region is dependent on Salal-Gladni line and in case of any major problem in this line entire province will plunge into darkness. The establishment of 400 KV Sub-Station at Samba was planned in order to provide alternate connectivity to the Jammu with the Northern Grid”, adding “with the new Sub-Station not only the power reliability but also the existing system will get strengthened, which is the thrust area of the Union Power Ministry”.
In response to a question, sources said, “at present no time-frame can be fixed for the setting up of power evacuation network and until the same comes up the 400 KV Sub-Station will remain unused”.
Sources disclosed that similar Sub-Station is also being constructed by the PGCIL at Wanpoo near Qazigund and the work on the same is likely to be completed by the month end. “But this Sub-Station will also meet the same fate as that of Samba Sub-Station as power evacuation from Wanpoo Sub-Station has yet not received the attention of the Power Development Department”, they added.
“These issues should not be taken in lighter vein by the Chief Minister as crores of rupees spent on Samba Sub-Station and being expended on Wanpoo Sub-Station will remain unfruitful expenditure till the power evacuation network is put in place”, sources said, adding “unless those at the helm of affairs in the Power Development Department are made accountable power sector will continue to remain victim of ineptitude and inefficiency”.
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