NEW DELHI: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CEA) has approved the proposal for construction of a 220kV Transmission System from Alusteng (Srinagar) to Leh via Drass, Kargil & Khalsti 220/66kV PGCIL substations and 66kV Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) interconnection system for Drass, Kargil, Khalsti and Leh substations in Jammu and Kashmir (JK) at an estimated total cost of Rs. 1788.41 Crore.
The transmission project will provide grid connectivity and reliable power supply to the strategically important Ladakh region, Finance Minister P Chidambaram told newspersons.
He said the project will be implemented through PGCIL, a central transmission utility, within 42 months from the date of release of the first instalment of funds. The project cost will be borne by the Government of India and the JK Government in the ratio of 95 : 5 to ensure interest of the state government in the project.
On the commissioning of the transmission system, it will be transferred to the State Government for carrying out Operation and Maintenance (O&M) and other related activities at its own cost.
The energy supply system of Ladakh Region in JK is currently isolated from the Northern Grid and is fed through local small hydro generation and diesel generator sets.
Being an area of defence establishments and strategic importance, there is a need to improve the reliability of power supply through inter-connection with the Northern Grid and hence a 220KV Transmission System was planned. The cost of local diesel generation is very high (about Rs 16-17/unit). Being an area of strategic importance, reliable power supply arrangement is very crucial, a source said.
(agencies)
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