IGL to set up city gas distribution network in Rewari
Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) has been authorized by Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) to lay City Gas Distribution (CGD) network in the geographical area of Rewari in Haryana, M Ravindran, Chairman, IGL said. Addressing the shareholders, Mr. Ravindran also gave an overview of future plans of the organization involving consolidation of its presence in existing areas as well as expansion in new geographies in view of the focus of the government to move the country towards a gas based economy. Referring to various initiatives taken by the government recently like developing national gas grid to cover all corners of the country and promotional campaign being undertaken to communicate benefits of natural gas, he said that IGL is fully geared up to seize the emerging opportunities in the CGD sector. Highlighting the initiatives undertaken by IGL to promote the usage of clean fuels due to increasing environmental concerns, Mr Ravindran shared information about the first of its kind pilot project in the country to run two wheelers on CNG being undertaken by the company. Speaking about augmentation of CNG infrastructure undertaken by IGL wherein 16 new CNG stations had been made operational in 2015-16 and work had also started on another 78 CNG stations, which were subsequently made operational in the first quarter of 2016-17. He added that this had resulted in IGL recording highest ever sale of 29.5 lakh per day last month, which is the highest for any CGD company on a single day. Referring to addition of 75,000 new domestic PNG customers by IGL in 2015-16, Mr Ravindran gave an overview of the marketing activities being undertaken by IGL to give boost to PNG segment. He added that IGL has been making conscious efforts to enhance customer experience by upgrading its services while leveraging technologies to its advantage. He informed that IGL has implemented Business Communication Management application to facilitate customers with optimized and improved call center operations over IVR to enable users to track, consolidate and respond in timely manner to customer complaints received through multiple channels. Joel Ward Womens Jersey
Essar Power commissions 60 Mw power unit at Paradip
Essar Power Ltd (EPoL), part of the $27 billion Essar Group, today announced it has commissioned a 60 MW unit comprising the first phase of its 120 Megawatt Paradip power plant. The company’s total installed capacity now stands at 4,705 MW. The 120 Mw imported coal-based power project at Paradip in Odisha, is developed by Essar Power Orissa Limited which is a subsidiary of EPoL. This has been set up as a captive power plant to meet the requirements of Essar Steel India’s 12 million tonne pellet plant in Odisha. The facility comprises a pellet plant at Paradip and a beneficiation plant at Dabuna, which are connected through a 253-km slurry pipeline. “Our focus is on completing all our under construction projects in the quickest possible time and achieve our stated target of operationalising 6,100 MW so that we can fully leverage on efficiencies of scale. With that goal in mind, the completion of Phase I of the Paradip project is an important milestone that we are delighted to reach,” KVB Reddy, Chief Executive at EPoL, said. The company claims the project uses technology that cuts down emissions. The boiler is designed to use both domestic as well as imported coal. With the commissioning of the second unit, Essar Steel will be able to further reduce its power bill and enhance its competitive edge, the company said in a statement. Essar Power Ltd is among the largest private sector power producers. It owns power plants in India and Canada with a total generation capacity of 6,100 Mw. Of this, 4,705 Mw is operational. Of the total operational capacity, 3,105 Mw is coal-based while 1,600 Mw is gas-based. The operating plants in India are at Mahan, Hazira, Salaya, Vadinar and Paradip. Also, a 1,200 Mw plant at Tori in Jharkhand is under development. Dion Lewis Womens Jersey
NTPC faces upto 30 per cent cut in fuel cost recovery on Regulatory hurdles
State-owned power generator NTPC Ltd is facing a significant hit to its fuel cost recovery on generation for the five year period 2015-19 on account of unfavourable regulatory tariff orders passed by Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC). The Energy Charge Rate (ECR) approved by CERC is lower in the range of 20 per cent to 31 per cent than what was sought by NTPC. The difference in the ECR is due to the change in the basis for measurement of the gross calorific value (GCV) of coal to ‘as-received” as against “as fired” basis,” ratings agency India Ratings and Research said in a note. The orders so far passed by CERC cover only around 7,000 Megawatt capacity. Adding to the firm’s woes, the commission is likely to follow the same principle for the rest of NTPC’s plants leading to large differences in fuel cost recovery. “However, India Ratings expects NTPC to contest the same through regulatory process and initiate steps to install the infrastructure for measurement of coal GCV on “as received” basis. There is also a possibility of a dialogue between NTPC and Coal India (CIL) to resolve differences over coal grade slippages. According to CERC’s tariff regulations for the period 2014-2019, coal Gross Calorific Value (GCV) has to be measured at the point of unloading the coal at the power station gate, referred to “as-received” basis as compared to the earlier regulations which allowed measurement of coal GCV at the point before coal is fired, referred to “as-fired” basis. Read More: NHPC in pact with Rajasthan govt, Inox for wind project In its petition to CERC, NTPC had been highlighting the lack of infrastructure at its plants as the reason for its inability to measure coal GCV on “as-received” basis. Therefore, CERC, in the absence of data on “as-received” basis, has now considered the GCV on “as-billed” basis while arriving at the ECR leading to the consideration of a higher GCV rate. The regulator had decided to shift to the “as-received” basis of GCV measurement so that the generating company bears the inefficiencies post unloading of the coal and to ensure the generating company takes up the coal grade slippage with the coal supplier company and resolve it. NTPC had been highlighting problems regarding the measurement of GCV on “as-received” basis and was seeking “as-fired” basis on multiple grounds — coal samples taken after crushing for firing are of small and homogenous size compared to samples taken from wagons which are big and heterogeneous. Also, sample collection time from wagons is longer leading to demurrage charges and safety for personnel is better when samples are taken after crushing. Finally, samples taken from the wagons may not accurately represent coal quality because often good quality coal could be loaded at the top and superficial layers become dry during the transportation while the moisture percolates inside the wagons to the lower layers. Experts say the difference between the GCV on “as-received” and “as-fired” basis is governed by the ambient temperature, type of coal and duration for which coal is stored. According to Central Electricity Authority (CEA), heat loss during this time should not be more than 0.1 per cent in GCV value, which is in line with international studies. However, in this case the difference between the GCV of the coal works out to 20 per cent to 31 per cent. India Ratings noted that NTPC has been contesting the GCV calculation and had been highlighting the grade slippages in the quality of coal. “The grade slippage discussion between CIL and NTPC has become more visible post the January 2012 change in coal grading methodology to GCV-based grading from the earlier used heat value based system of grading,” it said. NTPC over the last two years has seen tightening of operational norms including the station heat rate, specific consumption and auxiliary consumption, change in the basis for providing the capacity charge incentives to plant load factor instead of plant availability factor and lower tax arbitrage. These factors have had a negative impact on the company’s profitability. Jonas Siegenthaler Womens Jersey
Centre to float first bid for road project mgmt under TOT model shortly
The Centre is likely to float its first bid for management of projects under the toll-operate-transfer (TOT) route within the next three months. The TOT route – often called asset recycling – is a unique asset monetisation exercise. Around 75 operational projects (or roads) set up with public funds will be handed over to private players. The Centre is looking to raise close to Rs. 50,000 crore through this monetisation model. According to Rohit Kumar Singh, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, the Centre will target global funds with patient capital, including pension funds and sovereign funds from West Asia, among others. Contracts will come in bundle form – a number of road projects – being clubbed together. Around Rs. 1,200 crore may be raised in the first tranche. “Within the next three months the first such bid is likely to be floated. We expect around Rs. 1,200 crore; but this is a rough estimate,” he said on the sidelines of an infrastructure seminar organised by the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCC&I) Singh, however, said the “bundles” and draft guidelines have not yet been finalised. The monetisation programme has been cleared by the Cabinet. The model concession agreement and RPF documents are being finalised and will soon be taken up by the Ministry of Finance for clearances. Operation model Under the TOT model, roads will be given for a 30-year lease period. They will include projects which have been operational and generating toll revenues for at least two years. The payment for the lease will have to be made “upfront”. The bidders will recoup their investments by collecting toll over the lease tenure. According to Singh, around 20 global funds, including Nomura, Macquarie and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, are expected to participate in the bidding process. Ron Hextall Jersey
NHAI awards contract for two national highway projects in Karnataka
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has issued letter of award (LOA) for two national highways sections in Karnataka on engineering-procurement-contract (EPC) mode under the national highways development project. The projects are: Four laning of 144 km Hubli-Hospet section at an expenditure of Rs 2293 crore and four/six laning of 95 km Karnataka-Andhra Pradesh border section of Hospet-Ballari at an expenditure of Rs 1625 crore. The first project was awarded to the joint venture of BSCPL-KNR, and the second to Gammon India. The Hubli-Hospet section connects district headquarters of Gadag, Koppal, Hubballi-Dharwad to Hospet town which is home to many iron and steel industries. The 95 km long Hospet-Bellary-Karnataka/AP border section falls in Ballari district and covers towns like Hospet, Toranagallu and Bellary. Hampi, near Hospet, is a world heritage site and attracts large number of tourists. While the Hubballi-Hospet will take three years for completion, the Ballari-Hospet section will require two years. According to NHAI, development of Hubli-Hospet-Bellary-Karnataka/Andhra border section would not only facilitate transportation of minerals, iron, steel and coal but also promote tourism. This section is also a crucial link between eastern and western coasts of the country. Haason Reddick Jersey
Tirupati Airport Awarded “Best Tourist Friendly Airport” under the category for “State Annual Excellence Awards “
Airports Authority of India’s Tirupati Airport has been awarded as “Best Tourist Friendly Airport” under the category for “State Annual Excellence Awards for the year 2015-16” by Andhra Pradesh Tourism. The award was presented on the eve of World Tourism Day by the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Shri Nara Chandra Babu Naidu at Bhawani Islands, Vijayawada. The State Annual Tourism Excellence Awards under various segments of Travel and Tourism Industry are awarded by Department of Tourism, Government of Andhra Pradesh for maintaining excellent Customer friendly relations with tourists and passengers, coinciding with World Tourism Day Celebrations. Mike Reilly Womens Jersey
Ex-Vayudoot MD plans franchise model airline
Want to own your own airline? Harshvardhan — former Vayudoot chief — might have a plan for you. Eager to start a second innings in the Indian skies, as an entrepreneur he is bringing the franchise model of ownership — typically followed by global QSR chains like Dominos and MacDonalds. He is envisaging Star Air Consulting, his aviation consultancy firm, to become an umbrella organisation for number of regional airlines set up in small towns of India. The model unique to the Indian market will see Superfast Airlines as the holding company, under whose brand name the entrepreneurs can own their own airline. “Aviation in India is a great but a tough market. Not many can crack it as it requires massive capital investment and business planning. We want to create one or two small aircraft operators. They will be the owner of that aircraft. We would help the contract for bulk orders and will be subleasing it to the individual operator,” Vardhan said. “We want to create a company where the risk profile for smaller players is very less and this form of pure franchise model is being tried for the first time in India,” he added. Vardhan’s SuperFast Airlines will help the franchisee operators in functions like aircraft acquisition, technical and operational maintenance, crew training and marketing initiatives. “Post Kingfisher, it has become difficult for an Indian operator to lease aircraft, even more when you operate one or two aircrafts,” Vardhan said. It will also help in pilot training and is in talks with a third party MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) operator for providing technical services to the airlines. “Basically we would be providing all fundamental support including training and technical support. The idea is to create a a national organisation, so that the profile becomes better and the market acceptance of those individual operators becomes better among other stakeholders,” Vardhan says. Carl Banks Womens Jersey
Lawmakers Eye Quota On Private Carriers, Airlines Say No
At a time the aviation sector is struggling to cut down on losses, India’s lawmakers, who enjoy quota in railways and travel like maharajas in the loss-making Air India, are eyeing reservation in private carriers. The lawmakers say when parliament is in session, travelling by air is inconvenient, since seats are not always available. So on Monday, the committee on Salaries and Allowances — a standing committee that deals with privileges for lawmakers – met the representatives of airlines to explore the possibility of reserving seats on private carriers. “Some MPs had grievances that they couldn’t find seats when they travelled. So they asked if they could be reserved during the session,” said a lawmaker. But the airlines turned down the request, saying blocking of seats was not possible. Seats, they said, were “perishable commodities” and an empty seat would add to their loss. Some lawmakers had also wanted the use of the electronic buggies since the Delhi airport’s Terminal Three is a bit of a trek from the gates to the baggage pick-up area. Marcus Peters Jersey
Questions galore over govt’s nod for Mangalagiri airport
Even as the land acquisition process is going on for Gannavaran airport modernisation, the state government’s approval for a greenfield airport at Mangalagiri, just 35 km away from it, has given rise to many apprehensions from various quarters. Experts, including those from the aviation sector, point out that a second airport in such close proximity will neither be feasible nor economically viable. The state government, at its cabinet meeting last week, has cleared the proposal for construction of the airport in 5,000 acres at Mangalagiri. This has raised many an eyebrow as hundreds of crores of rupees are being spent on the Gannavaram airport for developing it in such a way that it can even handle international flight services. M Subba Rao, former employee of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and now a resident of Gannavaram who had served as the director of various international airports at Calicut, Bengaluru and Bhubaneswar, said that it is neither feasible nor viable to have both the airports. “It will not be viable as it is just 35 km away from the existing airport,” he said. He further said that there is no clarity over the issue as it is only in the preliminary stage wherein the state cabinet had taken a decision in this regard. “The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has to approve it. Then a team will study the topography of Mangalagiri. Only after a thorough study, a decision will be taken,” he said. However, the voices against the government’s proposal are growing stronger as industry bodies and other experts point out that there is no need for a new airport in the capital region as the existing one at Gannavaram is not being used to its full capacity. “The proposed greenfield airport at Mangalagiri will not be viable as there is no such demand. When the government is planning to connect the capital region with an outer ring road (ORR) of 210 km and when so much money is being spent on the existing airport, I don’t understand the logic behind the decision,” said Muthavarapu Murali Krishna, president of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry Federation (APCCIF). He said that an airport of such capacity (in 5,000 acres) is not required at least in the next 20 to 30 years. Trey Hopkins Jersey
New Pune airport should take three years to complete but can’t give a definite deadline, says Ajay Kumar
Is Pune finally getting a new airport? After waiting for so many years, is it finally happening? Pune badly needs an airport of its own. Technically, the Chief Minister and the Airports Authority of India has zeroed in on the land. Roughly, area will be 18 square kilometres. But the final site has to be decided by the Maharashtra Airport Development Corporation (MADC). The area will certainly touch many villages and may also require rehabilitation. But from what I know, the selected site does not have much cultivation or high residential density. Manoj More: Do you think it’s an appropriate site? It’s basically appropriate from the construction point of view. It’s about 40-45 kms away from the Pune City. I can’t say right now when such a huge infrastructure is there, about new road and rail infrastructure. A new airport—being 40-odd kilometre away from the centre of the city-— it’s not a long distance. In fact, it’s a must because a lot of land is required for the development. Hence, the airports can’t be very close to the city. Sunanda Mehta: The new airport has been delayed for so long. In the meantime, Pune has grown tremendously. So what is it that the city has lost during these years? The growth of air traffic and the potential is phenomenal. Last year, we grew at the rate of 29 per cent. This year, we are growing at 25-per cent point. Thus we have seen a 65 per cent growth. Last year, we handled about 5.5 million passengers. This year, it might cross 6.6 million. That’s too great a growth for a city. This city has a great potential I would say. Atikh Rashid: In last few months, the AAI and Civil Aviation Ministry has moved fast to increase the capacity of the Lohegaon Airport and the newly-acquired 15 acres of land. Will the latest announcement of finalisation of the site for the new airport slow down this development of the Lohegaon Airport? No. Basically, the new airport is not a replacement for this airport. This development is to meet the short-term demands. Four new aircraft bays will come up of Code-C type on the additional land that we have got. Also, buildings of a volume 35,000 square metre will come up, which will also enhance the amenities at the airport. Ajay Khape: What would be the difference between having an airport at the new proposed site in Purandar as opposed to the earlier location at Chakan? I can’t compare these two locations. I have not seen the location (Chakan) at all. That site is not technically suitable. That was the only problem. They were not suitable from the aeronautical point of view. Mike Napoli Authentic Jersey