Chhattisgarh relief to reach after 3 yrs
TS signs 1,000-MW deal, asks for more
Chhattisgarh has offered to supply another 1,000 MW of power to Telangana, after signing an MoU to supply 1,000 MW to the power starved state.
Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao requested his Chhattisgarh counterpart Raman Singh for the additional 1,000 MW after the TS government signed an MoU with the Chhattisgarh government on Monday to buy 1,000 MW. No timeframe has been announced as to when the 1,000 MW will be supplied to TS. Official sources said that it would take at least two-and-a-half years to three years.
It will take two to three years to lay power transmission lines between the two states. States can enter into bilateral electricity agreements, but cannot set up their own transmission lines and have to seek special permission from the Centre. The Power Grid Corporation of India is in the process of setting up transmission lines from Warda to Dichpally in Nizamabad to Maheshwaram and Hyderabad. The tenders for taking up these works are expected to be finalised by November- end.
Moreover, the Madwa thermal power project in Janjgir-Champa district from where the Chhattisgarh government had promised to supply power is still under construction and is expected to begin production only after March 2015.
Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao informed Mr Raman Singh that TS has been facing acute shortage of power after bifurcation, and if the Chhattisgarh government agrees to supply another 1,000 MW, in addition to 1,000 MW for which an MoU has been entered into, it would enable the state government to overcome the power problem to some extent.
Mr Singh responded positively to his request. The modalities will be worked out after March 2015. Both the governments urged the Centre to set up a new radial transmission line as the existing line between the states would not be in a position to bear the additional load.
“I have written a letter to union energy minister Piyush Goyal requesting him to facilitate a new transmission grid for electricity supply to Telangana. Other transmission lines would also be used to supplying electricity to Telangana,” Mr Raman Singh said.
Mr Rao thanked Mr Singh for extending an helping hand to TS overcome the power crisis. “I had personally requested Dr Raman Singh for additional 1,000MW, to which he responded heartily,” Mr Rao said.
The MoU was signed by Mr S.K. Joshi, TS principal secretary, energy, and his Chhattisgarh counterpart.
The modalities will be worked out after March 2015. Both the Telangana and Chhattisgarh governments urged the Centre to set up a new radial transmission line as the existing line between the states would not be in a position to bear the additional load.