*No benefit to people despite Rs 159 cr expenditure
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, June 15: Notwithstanding the fact that up-gradation and creation of infrastructure in the power sector is of immense importance for Jammu and Kashmir, which is plagued with much difficulties in this area, several schemes sanctioned under the Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan (PMRP) for the Jammu region have missed the deadlines fixed for their completion while as difficulties have cropped up in many others. Due to this, no benefit could be provided to the people despite an expenditure of over Rs 159 crore on these works till date.
According to the official sources, 220 KV transmission line between Barn-Bishnah-Hiranagar with length of 82.59 kilometers and 250 towers was sanctioned in the year 2004 and the original date of its completion was 2007-08 but due to delay in the completion of work 2014-15 financial year was fixed as the revised date of completion.
“Though the work on Hiranagar-Bishnah section was completed and the same was test charged in June 2011 yet the fate of Barn-Bishnah line is hanging in balance because of Right of Way (RoW) problem at some locations”, sources said.
“There are apprehensions about the completion of work even in the revised schedule as at present foundation of 170 towers has been laid and 157 towers erected against total of 250 towers besides stringing of only 44.923 kilometers of line has been completed till date”, they said, adding “moreover, executing agency M/s KEC has submitted that at 2008-09 prices, it would not be feasible for the firm to complete the work”.
Similarly, 132KV Ramban-Khellani-Kishtwar double circuit 82.25 kilometers line with 232 towers was sanctioned in the year 2004 for completion by 2009-10. However, the time of completion was revised to 2014-15 keeping in view slow pace of work.
“Whether the work on this transmission line would be completed even in the revised schedule remains a million dollar question in the light of the fact that work has been held up for want of funds and some issues between the executing agency and Power Development Department have yet not been sorted out”, sources said, adding foundations of 237 towers have been laid and 214 out of total 232 towers erected while as stringing of only 51.60 kilometers of line has been completed.
Thathri-Bhalessa single circuit 24 kilometer 132 KV transmission line with 69 towers is also meeting the same fate as at present work was held up for want of funds while Hiranagar-Battal Manwal double circuit 132 KV transmission line is entangled in the wildlife clearance, which is yet to be obtained.
As far as augmentation of 132/33 KV sub-stations are concerned, deadlines have been missed in respect of such stations at Kishtwar, Bhalessa, Siot and Battal Manwal etc.
The interconnected transmission lines are under progress in respect of Kishtwar and Bhalessa sub-stations while as the Siot Sub-Station has been entangled in a litigation and Battal Manwal sub-station is facing issue regarding payment for CVT and interconnected transmission line was under progress, sources informed.
They further said that construction of 10 number 132 KV line bays two each at Akhnoor, Miran Sahib, Draba, Khellani and Hiranagar grid stations was sanctioned in the year 2004 under PMRP and the work was to be completed by 2013-14 but the same has not been completed till date.
“Due to this, benefit of these schemes could not be provided to the people despite huge expenditure”, they said while disclosing that an expenditure of over Rs 159 crore has been incurred on these schemes till date.
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