Haryana signs pact for major Power transmission project

Special Correspondent

CHANDIGARH: Haryana on Friday took a major step in expansion of its transmission infrastructure by signing an agreement with Jhajjar KT Transco Private Limited for execution of the Jhajjar Power Transmission Project under public-private partnership mode.

Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, in whose presence the agreement was signed, said two 400 KV sub-stations at Kabulpur (Rohtak) and Dipalpur (Sonepat) along with associated lines would be set up under the agreement to evacuate power from the upcoming 1,320 MW Mahatma Gandhi Thermal Power Project, Jhajjar.

He claimed that it was the first transmission project in the country to get Viability Gap Funding (VGF) support from the Central Government and also the first project in Haryana for which VGF had been sanctioned under the PPP mode.

The project would be completed on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer basis.

The Planning Commission has provided complete assistance to Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam in formulating bidding documents and concession agreement to be entered into with successful bidder for 25 years with an option for further extension by 10 years for this project under PPP mode, he disclosed.

The operation and maintenance of the transmission system under this project would be the responsibility of the private partner. An independent engineer or agency shall ensure the quality of the execution of this project, he added.

The Chief Minister said the State had started the construction work of Yamunanagar, Khedar (Hisar), Jharli and Khanpur Khurd (Jhajjar) power projects during the last five years, which was a record. The State would have 4,620 MW additional power after commercial operation of all the power generation units, he claimed.