Chandigarh: Power Ministry orders underground substation at Hallo Majra, delays project by 2 yrs
In a setback to the Chandigarh electricity department, which is already struggling to upgrade its ageing infrastructure, the Union Ministry of Power Saturday rejected the proposal of setting up a conventional 220 KV substation at Hallo Majra. While Power Grid, which was authorised to set up the sub-station had submitted the proposal of a conventional outdoor substation for approval, the ministry has ordered the firm to set up an underground substation instead of a conventional one. As a result of this decision, the project will be delayed as Power Grid will have to again start from scratch. Also, this will be the first underground substation in the region. As per official records, presently, there is only one 220 KV substation in the region and the electricity department desperately needs another one to cope up with the increasing load. There are 13 66 KV substations and five 33 KV substations in the city. Each sub-station has a life span of 25 years and around six 66 KV substations are over that time span. Superintending engineer MP Singh said that it will take around two years for constructing and making the under ground substation operational. “Once complete, the substation will be capable of meeting the region’s load requirement for the next 15 years,” said MP Singh. While conventional substations are constructed in open air, underground substations are set up in basements. Constructing a substation under the ground reduces space requirements and the space on surface can be utilised for other purposes. Although the existing infrastructure has the maximum load capacity of 410 megawatt (MW), this year during the summer season, southern sectors faced a tough time due to frequent outages caused by overloading of the system. On May 20, the peak power demand had touched 401 MW, breaking all previous records. The previous record was registered on July 11, 2014, when power consumption had touched 395 MW. For the financial years of 2017-2018 and 2018-2019, the peak demand has been projected to be around 450MW and 475MW respectively by the department. Project marred by delays The Rs 150-crore-project has been marred by delays. The project was accorded approval by the Union Ministry of Power’s standing committee on power system planning for the northern region way back in January 2013. Thereafter, the electricity department struggled to get land allotted for the project. After toiling hard, land measuring 3 acres was earmarked in Hallomajra for the project. The electricity department caters to a total of 2.12 lakh consumers, out of which 1.75 lakh are in the domestic category. Of the total, there is regular billing of around 94 per cent of the consumers. New Devils Authentic Jersey
24×7 power supply by 2019 : MSPCL
The Manipur State Power Company Limited (MSPCL) has prepared a vision document for providing 24×7 power for all by 2019 . The expected accumulated transmission capacity of the state by 2019 will increase manifold within the next few years said N Sarat Singh, MD MSPCL during a press conference held here today at DIPR organized by DIPR. MSPCL has reached out to all corners of the State and may not require to create additional infra structure for the next two decades. In pursuance of Electricity Act, 2003, the erstwhile Electricity Department, Government of Manipur was unbundled and Corporatized into two State owned functionally independent successor entities i.e. (i) Manipur State Power Company Limited (MSPCL) as deemed transmission licensee and (ii) Manipur State Power Distribution Company Limited (MSPDCL) as the deemed distribution licensee respectively w.e.f. the 1st of February, 2014 . Manipur State Power Company Limited (MSPCL) is responsible for wheeling of available power through Bulk Power Purchase Agreement, Medium Term & Short Term Open Access in the intrastate grid of 33 KV and Manipur has no meaningful own generation and entirely depends on the share allocation from Central Sector Generating Stations (CSGS) . Earlier Manipur suffered a lot during dry season in power supply management with allocated share of 30/40 MW against a requirement of 100 MW during day time in lean period. Further, due to constraints in the Interstate Transmission line of Dimapur – Imphal ; Leimatak – Imphal 132 KV line State’s drawal was always restricted to 100/110 MW leading to regular load shedding in the State. Now with the allocation of 24×7 base load of 42 MW from Pallatana Power Plant w.e.f 4.1.2014 and 19 MW from the first Unit of Bongaigaon Thermal Power Plant from April 4, 2016, power supply scenario in Manipur has changed drastically. As of today, during monsoon, allocated share of power is around 200 MW and with the installation of prepaid meters the actual demand of the State during peak hour has come down to 150/160 MW. Thus, the State has become sufficient with the allocation made so far except during lean period which can be managed through Power Banking or other mechanism. Electricity Department had taken a key role for the construction of 400 KV D/C line from Silchar to Imphal, initially charged at 132 KV voltage against the NER constituent States’ insistence for construction of 220 KV D/C line as an Associated Transmission System (ATS) of 726.6 MW Pallatana Power Plant and 750 MW Thermal Power Plant at Bongaigaon and installation of 2×50 MVA, 132/33 KV Sub-Station at Imphal (PG) under system strengthening scheme for the above. The commissioning of 400 KV Silchar – Imphal D/C line charged at 132 KV, on March 15, 2015 created a new era for the State as the inter-State Available Transmission Capacity(ATC) has been enhanced considerably and load shedding has become a past history. Government of Manipur joined the JV Company ie the North East Transmission Company Ltd (NETC) formed for the construction of 650 Kms long 400 KV D/C trunk line from Pallatana – Silchar – Bongaigaon with equity share of 6% , and contributed Rs 24.681 crore. The trunk line is used as Associated Transmission System (ATS) for evacuation of allocated shares of all beneficiary States including Manipur from the power projects at Pallatana and Bongaigaon. MSPCL has received Rs 7,40,52,000/- as dividend for the year 2014-15 and dividend for 2015-16 is expected anytime. During the past six years MSPCL has added 306 MVA, 302 MVA in 132 KV, 33 KV transmission systems respectively. There are now 12, 132 33 KV stations, 74, 33/11 KV stations, There are 537 km of 132 KV. The 18th Electric Power Survey of Central Electricity Authority, Ministry of Power, Government of India, forecasted requirement of 428 MW in 2019- 2020 and MSPCL has taken up action plan for placement of appropriate infrastructure at different load centres of the State including adoption of higher transmission voltage of 400 KV system. Manipur has created a new history in transmission system with first time construction of 4×105 MVA, 400/132 KV sub-station with single phase transformer including one spare at Thoubal and it is targeted to be commissioned within this year, quite ahead of scheduled time of completion. The 4th Standing Committee Meeting on Power System Planning in NER held at Guwahati on December 13, 2014 had approved upgradation of 2×50 MVA 132/33 KV sub-station at Imphal (PG) to 7×105 MVA, 400/132 KV sub-station with single phase transformer including one spare as North Eastern Regional System Strengthening Scheme – IV (NERSS –IV). And the 5th Standing Committee Meeting on Power System Planning in NER held at Imphal on August 8, 2015 had agreed to provide space for two 400 KV bays at Imphal (PG) to be built by MSPCL. The 5th Standing Committee Meeting on Power System Planning in NER also agreed to the extension of 400 KV D/C line from Imphal (PG) – New Kohima to Misa via New Mariani as NERSS – VI. This may ensure stability and reliability in the entire region in the power supply system from the 400 KV D/C ring main system comprising of Misa – Balipara –Bongaigaon – Azara -Byrnihat -Silchar-Imphal- New Kohima-Mariani- Misa. MSPCL has taken up the construction of five 132/33 KV sub- stations at Tipaimukh (2×12.5 MVA), Elangkhangpokpi (2×20 MVA), Thanlon (2×12.5 MVA), Moreh (2×12.5 MVA) and Thoubal (2×20 MVA). Another 19 33/11 kV sub-stations with the installed capacity of 123 MVA is also being taken up in different load centres of the State. Leimatak – Ningthoukhong 132 KV 2nd Circuit D/C line and third 132 KV Imphal (PG) – Impha(State) line is also taken up to avoid overloading in the transmission system as indicated in the load flow study. Initiative taken up for expansion of 132 KV system infrastructure to the remotest corners like Thanlon and Tipaimukh at high cost is to deliver good quality and reliable power with good voltage regulation. Renovation and Modernisation of six old
Two more units of Lower JuralaHydel project ready for commercial operation
The Telangana State Power Generation Corporation Ltd (TS-Genco) has declared two units of 40 MW each at the (6 x 40 MW) Lower Jurala Hydro-Electric Project at Revulapally in Mahabubnagar district commercially operational. Director (Hydel) of TS-Genco Ch. Venkata Rajam said on Saturday that the two units were declared commercially operational on July 28 following the installed capacity tests done in the presence of representatives of the two Discoms, TS-Transco and TS Power Coordination Committee. The commencement of commercial operation of the units 3 and 4 of the Lower Jurala hydel project would add 80 MW to TS-Genco’s capacity, he stated. The two units would be in a position to supply 120 MW of generation during peak hours when there is flow in the river below Jurala reservoir through spillway discharges or water let out after power generation in the hydel unit at the reservoir site. Meanwhile, generation of power at the 6×39 MW Priyadarshini Jurala Hydro-Electric Project at the dam site is going on from July 21 with the number of units generating power depending on inflows into the reservoir. Sam Mills Womens Jersey
Centre holds stakeholders’ consultation on regional connectivity
The centre today met the states and airlines to discuss plans for the ambitious regional connectivity scheme, which will result in improved connectivity of smaller airports by airlines and put India’s hinterland on the country’s aviation roadmap. Representatives from all states except that of Tamil Nadu, Manipur and Madhya Pradash attended the meet in which various issues were discussed. Airline bosses including IndiGo president Aditya Ghosh, SpiceJet chairman Ajay Singh, Air Asia Amar Abrol and Air India CMD Ashwani Lohani attended the meet. The Narendra Modi-led government on Friday revealed its ambitious regional connectivity scheme under which airfares will be capped at Rs 2,500 for up to one-hour flights on unserved and under-served routes. Minister of state for civil aviation Jayant Sinha said that with demand for air travel increasing there will be ample opportunity for airlines to cash in it. “There is no lack of demand, with this scheme traffic in regional cities like Surat, Bhubaneswar, Mysuru will increase, there is business opportunity in it,” Sinha said. The scheme, mooted in the civil aviation policy to connect smaller cities, has been put up for stakeholders’ consultations, including state governments, airlines and airport operators. The stakeholders have been given three weeks to submit their comments on the draft scheme, which would be finalised by August. “There was not a single state who did not commit support to the state, in fact everyone wanted to participate in that, now the ball is in the court of entrepreneurs and airlines ” said civil aviation secretary Rajiv Nayan Choubey. Tiger Williams Authentic Jersey
Many find getting to and from airport a hassle
Commuters had a tough time reaching the Kempegowda International Airport ( KIA) on Saturday as BMTC buses and a majority of cabs remained off the roads following the bandh called over the Mahadayi water dispute. Rajesh Devreddy, a resident of HSR Layout who had to catch a flight to Chennai said he had a hard time reaching the airport as a few private taxis were hesitant to ply fearing attacks by pro-Kannada groups. He said:?“It usually takes five minutes to book a private cab. However, on Saturday, it took me 20 minutes to get a vehicle after much persuasion of the management of a cab service. Luckily, I reached on time.” At Hebbal, close to Esteem Mall, members of a few Kannada groups riding two-wheelers blocked other vehicles, putting those heading towards the airport to hardship. Keval J, a techie from Koramanagala who landed in the city from his hometown, New Delhi, said he was unaware of the bandh. “There is a private cab service available at the airport but there is a huge rush. I would have postponed my schedule had I known about today’s bandh,” he said. A staffer from the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation ( KSTDC), Manjunath K N said there was a 25% drop in airport taxi services. Usually, from morning till noon, about 2,000 airport taxis ply. On Friday, only about 1,000 to 1,500 cabs operated by noon, he said. Mike Modano Authentic Jersey
India eyes direct purchase of six refuelling aircraft
India is now planning “a direct strategic purchase” of six flight refuelling aircraft (FRA) or tankers to enhance the reach of its fighter jets, bombers and surveillance aircraft after the bid to acquire them through global tenders failed twice over the last decade. Consequently, the defence ministry (MoD)+ has scrapped the proposed Rs 9,000 crore contract for acquisition of six Airbus-330 MRTT (multi-role tanker transport) aircraft, which was hanging fire for several years due to high costs as well as old CBI cases and change in the manufacturer’s name from EADS Cassidian to Airbus Group. “Airbus was told towards end-June that the RFP (request for proposal or tender), under which the A-330 MRTT was selected as L-1 (lowest bidder), has been withdrawn. A decision will now be taken for direct acquisition of FRA, a critical operational necessity for IAF+ ,” said a top MoD source. Alejandro Villanueva Authentic Jersey
Centre defers forest clearance for Navi Mumbai airport, again
The forest advisory committee (FAC) of the Union environment and the forest and climate change ministry have again deferred Stage-II forest clearance for the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) as they found deficiencies in the compensatory afforestation scheme, official documents revealed. The NMIA project requires diversion of 250 hectares of forest land, comprising dense mangroves. Additionally, the City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco) also needs 22.5 hectares of forest for rehabilitating project-affected persons (PAPs) for which they have applied for a separate clearance. D.J. Fluker Jersey
CBI arrests Aurangabad airport director for accepting bribe
The anti-corruption division of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday arrested Aurangabad airport director Alok Varshney for accepting bribe of Rs. 10,000 as the first instalment out of a total demand of alleged bribe of Rs. 50,000. The agency carried out searches last night at the official quarter and office of Aurangabad airport director and at present searches is continuing. The CBI authorities remained tight lipped about the entire operation but confirmed that the action was based on the basis of corruption related complaint against Varshney. CBI sources said that the seized documents and other material and articles would be scanned. Kenneth Acker Jersey
Spinners oppose plan for gas price hike
Top spinners urged the government to increase gas price in phases, not in one go, as the sector is facing challenges due to the import of cheaper yarn and fabrics from India and China. A proposed 130 percent hike in gas prices for captive power plants, which the spinners use for continued power generation, will badly hurt the sector, said A Matin Chowdhury, managing director of Malek Spinning Mills. The proposed hike is abnormally high and it will be difficult for the spinners to absorb price shocks in the current volatile situation, Chowdhury added. The hike will take the price of gas to Tk 19.26 per cubic metre from Tk 8.36 now. The government had already raised the price of gas for captive power plants as recently as September last year from Tk 4.36 per cubic metre to the current rate. Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission will hold a public hearing on the gas price hike proposed by Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Ltd on August 7-8. The sector has also been facing a downward price pressure of yarn and fabrics, volatile cotton markets and the negative impact of the Gulshan terror attack on the garment sector, Chowdhury told reporters on Thursday. Recently, the Indian government announced a package worth $900 million for employment generation and promotion of export in the textile and apparel sector, according to Chowdhury. The package has been launched to improve labour working conditions, give a 25 percent investment subsidy and an income tax waiver to garment makers, he added. India has disbursed $3.5 billion in funds for factory upgrades between 2000 and 2014. These initiatives by the Indian government and higher gas prices for the captive power plants will erode our competitiveness as many local knitters and woven garment makers will rely on cheaper Indian yarn and fabrics,” Chowdhury said at the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association office. “The local spinners would not be able to supply yarn at lower prices for the Indian subsidies,” he said. As a result, the massive investment to the tune of nearly $5 billion has been made in the sector over the years will be in big trouble. One of the major difficulties is that the spinners and weavers cannot pass on additional prices to consumers as the value of products depends on foreign retailers, he added. Captive power generators account for 17 percent of total gas consumption, according to data from Petrobangla, the national oil, gas and mineral exploration company. Primary textiles account for 4 percent of the electricity generated by captive power plants. “We are selling our products at minimum prices only to keep our businesses afloat. The profit margin declined in the spinning and weaving sectors,” said Tapan Chowdhury, president of BTMA. “The primary textile sector could grow to its current position because of subsequent government support in gas prices and other policies. We need further support for the growth of the local business.” Currently, the spinners can supply 90 percent of raw materials to the local consumers and weavers can meet 45 percent demand of the local users, he said. New investment would not come in the sector if the gas price is hiked abnormally, he added. Darren Woodson Authentic Jersey
GST to be simple with 1 pc additional tax removal, say experts
With the government dropping the contentious 1 per cent additional inter-state tax, the proposed national sales tax or the GST stands simplified with aberrations removed, said tax experts. Ahead of Rajya Sabha considering the biggest indirect tax reform measure since independence, the government has met a key opposition demand of scrapping 1 per cent additional tax on inter-state movement of goods. It has also agreed to compensate states for any revenue losses for five years. “The tax process/system under GST would stand simplified with the government’s decision to do away with 1 per cent additional tax on interstate supplies. “…tax would have resulted in a cascading tax on interstate supplies, resulting in an otherwise not so pure GST and would have also driven companies to consider the same while making warehousing/logistics decisions,” said Mahesh Jaising, Partner, BMR & Associates LLP. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) seeks to replace a slew of Centre taxes and levies in 29 states, transforming the nation into a customs union. Analysts believe the GST could boost India’s economic growth by up to 2 percentage points. Sachin Menon Partner and Head, Indirect Tax at KPMG, said the changes made in the GST Bill shows the commitment of the government to introduce GST. “Hope our representatives put the nation first, behave responsibly to pass the GST bill,” he said. The Bill is listed for consideration in the Upper House this week. PwC Partner (Indirect Tax) Anita Rastogi said the proposed 1 per cent tax was not in line with the key concepts of GST, as the levy would have been a cost in the entire supply chain at various supply incidences. “Hence its removal is a welcome decision”. Nitish Sharma, partner, Nangia & Co said the doing away with additional tax is favourable step towards removing impediment in the credit chain and would certainly simplify the tax process. Tre Flowers Jersey