New transmission line offers respite to power-hit Assam

MUMBAI: Assam’s power deficit of 7-10 % is set to ease, with one of the two lines of the first ultramega transmission project starting operations. Vedanta Group’s Sterlite Grid has commissioned a double-circuit transmission line as part of its East-North interconnection transmission project, which aims to connect Assam, West Bengal and Bihar.


The transmission line is being used to transport electricity from power surplus states to Assam even as it was originally envisaged to pump power from hydropower projects in Assam to states, including Bihar, West Bengal and Punjab. “We have commissioned the 230-km Purnia-Bihar Sharif transmission line. This line will evacuate power from hydropower projects in Assam to other states.

But currently, it is being used to draw in power to Assam from power surplus states,” said Pravin Agarwal, director, Sterlite Technologies. Sterlite had in 2010 bagged India’s first ultra-mega transmission project to construct the Rs 1,000-crore transmission lines that would carry 1,000 mw of power from hydropower projects in the northeast to light up over 10 lakh homes in northern and eastern India.

“We have invested Rs 500 crore on the first line and will invest another Rs 500 crore on the second line. The second transmission line has been delayed due to local disturbance. We hope the government authorities will help us expedite the project,” Agarwal said.

India reported a power deficit of 5% in April-August , according to the Central Electricity Authority , with states, including Assam, in the northeast facing deficit of about 7%.

Even as the beleaguered power sector has been plagued by fuel scarcity and poor financial health of distribution companies, insufficient transmission infrastructure has hindered transportation of power.

The public sector transmission utility Power Grid Corporation of India (Power Grid) is planning to spend Rs 20,000-25 ,000 crore a year in transmission infrastructure for the next five years to upgrade power transmission network in the country . The government planned the ultra-mega transmission projects to build capacity and encourage private sector participation in the sector.