Lok Sabha Question No. 261 (STARRED), answered on 2020-03-12
Subject: Power Transmission Line Project
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Jamyang Tsering Namgyal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.261 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.03.2020

POWER TRANSMISSION LINE PROJECT

*261.   SHRI JAMYANG TSERING NAMGYAL:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

(a) whether  the  Zanskar  and  Nubra  power  transmission  line  project  is  still pending;

- (b) if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  expedite  the  completion  of  this project; and
- (d) if  so,  the  details  of  the  strategy/action  plan  including  time  frame  for completion of this project?

## A N S W E R

THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  FOR  POWER,  NEW  & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR SKILL DEVELOPMENT & ENTREPRENEURSHIP

( SHRI  R.K. SINGH)

(a) to (d) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*******

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  STARRED QUESTION  NO.261  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  THE  LOK  SABHA  ON  12.03.2020 REGARDING POWER TRANSMISSION LINE PROJECT.

*********

(a) to (d) :   Following transmission works in Ladakh region were approved by the Ministry  of  Power  in  January  2017  at  an  outlay  of  Rs  354.74  crore  as  per  the Detailed  Project  Report  (DPR)  of  transmission  projects  sent  by  the  then  State Government of Jammu and Kashmir vide letter no. DCP/J&K/Camp-gr/01-04 dated 25.10.2016  under  the  Prime  Minister's  Development  Package  for  Jammu  and Kashmir 2015:

- i. 2  nos  of  220/33  kV  Grid  Sub-stations:  Diskit  (Nubra)  (50  MVA)  and  Padum (Zanskar) 50 MVA,
- ii. 220 kV S/C transmission lines on D/C Tower (total 307 km) including KargilPadum (Zanskar) (207 km) and Phyang to Diskit (Nubra) (100 km)
- iii. one no of 220 kV line bay each at 220/66 kV Phyang (Leh) Substation and 220/66 kV Kargil  S/s
4. iv.
5. 1x25 MVAR, 220/33 kV bus reactor at Padum along with 220 kV bay.

Jammu  Kashmir  Power  Development  Department  (JKPDD),  State Government of Jammu and Kashmir, appointed Rural Electrification Corporation Transmission  Projects  Company  Ltd.  (RECTPCL)  as  the  Project  Implementing

Agency (PIA) for the aforesaid works in March 2017.

The  above  works  are  in  advanced  stage  of  awarding.  The  status  of award of works is as under:

- i. The  works  of  design  of  4  types  of  transmission  towers  and  9  types  of foundations had been awarded to Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd and the above design work has been completed in February 2020.
- ii. The fabrication of prototype sample towers as per design had been awarded to  M/s  Unitech  in  December  2019.  The  fabrication  of  prototype  sample towers is targeted by 5 th  April 2020.
- iii. The testing of fabricated prototype sample towers had been awarded to M/s Structural Engineering and Research  Centre, Government  of  India in December  2019.  The  testing  of  fabricated  prototype  sample  towers  is targeted by 15 th  April 2020.

………..2.

- iv. The tenders for selection of EPC (Engineering Procurement and Construction) Contractors for Drass to Padum (Zanskar) and Phyang (Leh) to Diskit (Nubra) transmission lines and associated 2 Nos. 220 KV Sub-stations had already been floated by RECTPCL in October 2019 and November 2019 respectively  and  bidding  process  for  award  is  targeted  for  completion  in March 2020.  Overall,  the  works  are  targeted  for  completion  in  28  months after award of the EPC Contracts.

Earlier,  on  the  request  of  JKPDD,  the  route  of  Zanskar  transmission line was changed from Kargil-Padum to Drass-Padum due to Right of Way issues resulting  in  change  in  route  alignment.  Further,  there  was  change  in  technical specifications due to topographical conditions like high altitude of 3000 to 5400 Meters  above  sea  level,  heavy  snowfall  with  temperature  upto  (-)  45  Degree Celsius and avalanche prone area with high wind velocity. In the light of the above aspects, JKPDD has revised the cost of works. The Ministry is working out the modalities for mobilising additional resources for completion of the project.

***************