New Delhi (NVI): The Union Cabinet today approved the revised cost estimate (RCE) of scheme for strengthening of power transmission and distribution in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim at cost of Rs 9,129.32 crore.
The scheme is being implemented through POWERGRID, a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under Ministry of Power in association with Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, according to an official statement.
It is targeted to be commissioned in phased manner by December 2021 for awarded scope of works and 36 months from RCE approval for un-awarded packages.
“After commissioning, the created transmission and distribution system will be owned and maintained by the respective state utilities,” the CCEA said in a statement.
The main objective of the scheme is government commitment for the total economic development of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim and to strengthen the Intra-State Transmission & Distribution Infrastructure in the states by providing grid connectivity to remote distant locations.
Moreover, implementation of this scheme will create a reliable power grid and improve states’ connectivity to the upcoming load centers, and thus extend the benefits of the grid connected power to the villages and towns including the remote and border areas and all categories of consumers of beneficiaries in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, the statement noted.
The scheme shall also increase the per capita power consumption of these States, and shall contribute to the total economic development.
In addition, implementing agencies are hiring a considerable number of local manpower during their construction works, generating a lot of employment for skilled and unskilled local manpower.
The scheme was initially approved in December, 2014 as a Central Sector Plan Scheme of Ministry of Power, the statement added.
-RJV
