*116 km stringing work over, 575 towers erected
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Nov 22: In a short span of one year, the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) has completed 50% work on Srinagar-Leh transmission line and would easily achieve the deadline of October next year fixed for providing reliable power supply to strategically important Ladakh region.
Ladakh region comprising Leh and Kargil districts having borders with Pakistan and China is the highest inhabitation in the world and is one of the toughest regions due to its harsh climatic conditions, high altitude, extreme dryness, lack of oxygen and low air pressure.
This region spread over 56,000 square kilometers of area remains cut off from rest of the country for six months (from November to April) and because of climatic conditions the working period is only four months (from June to September).
At present, the power demand of the region is met by some local small hydel projects and diesel generators and being strategically important part of Jammu and Kashmir, reliable power supply arrangement is very important.
Keeping all these aspects in mind, the Union Government had sanctioned 220 kv 332 kilometer long Srinagar-Leh transmission line passing through Srinagar-Zojila-Drass-Kargil-Khalsti-Leh and the foundation stone of this important project was laid by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi on August 14, 2014. The task of constructing this transmission line through most difficult terrain and power sub-stations was entrusted to Power Grid Corporation of India Limited so as to connect Ladakh region with other parts of State and country through energy.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that physical work on Srinagar-Leh transmission line was started in October 2014 and on certain sections in May 2015 and in the month of October this year, the State Cabinet accorded sanction for signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Power Development Department and PGCIL as after establishment of transmission line PDD will operate and maintain the line at its own cost after takeover from PGCIL.
The MoU was signed today by T C Sarmah, Executive Director (BDD) on behalf of PGCIL and Gul Ayaz, Development Commissioner Power on behalf of PDD in the presence of Farooq Ahmed Andrabi, Minister of State for PDD, Dheeraj Gupta, Commissioner/ Secretary Power, Anil Jain, Executive Director PGCIL NRTS-II, Rajesh Kumar, General Manager, DMS PGCIL, Amarjit, General Manager (Consultancy) PGCIL, A K Srivastava, General Manager, SM Kandwal, AGM J&K and Supritam Dass, AGM.
According to the information available with EXCELSIOR, out of 1230 tower foundations required to be laid for the transmission line, the PGCIL has completed work on 821 while as out of 1230 towers, 575 have already been erected and work is apace on the remaining. Similarly, out of total 332 kilometer long transmission line, stringing of 116 kilometer has been completed till date.
“This clearly indicates that PGCIL has completed almost 50% work on the transmission line and if required cooperation is given by all the concerned agencies of the J&K Government it would easily meet the deadline of October 2017 for completion of this vital project”, sources said, adding “following commissioning, this transmission line will feed power to Ladakh region and interlink J&K’s existing 66 KV system”.
According to the sources, the Kargil district administration has yet not handed over required land to the PGCIL for establishment of 220/66 kv sub-station. “Out of Rs 2.56 crore land compensation demanded by the Deputy Commissioner Kargil, the PGCIL has disbursed Rs 1.20 crore to the land owners till date and balance disbursement is pending because of court case filed by some land owners”, they added.
Stating that cooperation of State Forest Department is imperative for timely completion of the project, sources said that PGCIL has requested the higher authorities of the State to ensure early approval of the Forest Department for the land required for construction of foundations of the towers particularly in Ganderbal, Leh and Kargil districts.
They informed that PGCIL is required to lay underground cable on six kilometer stretch near Gagangir area while as there will be four sub-stations one each at Drass, Kargil, Khalsti and Leh.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
