The Minister for Power, Sunil Sharma today directed the officers to ensure that the 132KV D/C Ramban-Khilani-Kishtwar Transmission Line is completed by sorting out the issues, if any, so that the transmission capacity gets a boost and people of Kishtwar and adjacent areas get adequate supply of electric power.The Minister was addressing the officers during a review meeting convened to discuss the status of this prestigious project meant to augment power supply in the Kishtwar region.Commissioner Secretary PDD, Mr. Hirdesh Kumar, Commissioner Secretary Law, Mr. Abdul Majid Bhat, Development Commissioner Power and senior officers were present.The Minister asked the officers to work out a viable mechanism to ensure that the issues concerned are sorted out as early as possible so that the work can be started on the prestigious transmission line which would go a long way in increasing the transmission capacities and capabilities of the department and would cater to large chunk of population of the Chenab region. He said that they should hold regular meetings with the implementing agency as well so in order to amicably solve the pending issues if any and re-start the work on the same.
Mr. Sunil while enumerating the various initiatives being undertaken by the Central government for upgrading and augmenting the electric infra in the state said that the major chunk of the funds under the Prime Minister’s Development Package has been earmarked for the power sector and we have to ensure that they are spent in a judicious manner so that the people of the state get 24x7 power which would go inconsonance with the Prime Minister’s initiative of providing round the clock electric supply.He said that the officers should also ensure that the various initiatives being undertaken are completed within the stipulated time frames so that the cost escalation of the scheme is checked and the targeted populace get the requisite benefits.The meeting was informed that the work was initially allotted to M/s KEC International Limited on turnkey basis at the total contract value of Rs. 35.25 crore for the entire scope of the work and it was due to certain issues like clearances from different authorities, natural calamities and other related things that the project got delayed.It was further giving out that the main components of the transmission line or supply of tower material and accessories, supply line material and accessories, costing of foundations, erection of tower superstructures, stringing of transmission line, providing of protections to tower footings but during execution some un-avoidable calamities led to further revision of the project.