From Our Correspondent
AGARTALA: Ending a month-long uncertainty, the mammoth Gas Turbine (GT) for the Palatana power project in Tripura has been installed recently, official sources confirmed here on Friday.
The 300 ton turbine, which was made in USA, skidded off puller vehicle while it was being transported from Akhaura to Palatana in May. After month-long efforts, the ill-fated turbine was pulled out of the gorge and taken to Palatana in June. And finally, it was installed on September 28 after carrying out special check by engineers from General Electricals.
Earlier, boiler turbine for the first unit of 726 MW power project was installed at the designated place. With the installation of two major equipments, the OPTC hopes to commission the first unit as per the schedule- by February next year.
“We have done 75 percent work for the first unit of the mega power project as the gas turbine has been installed without any problem”, said an official of OTPC here.
The first unit of Palatana was supposed to kick off by December this year but later the deadline has been extended till February.
AK Hazarika, the Chairman cum Managing Director (CMD) of ONGC had said that the first unit would come up in February in stead of scheduled time- December this year. “The reason is simple – the GT, main equipment for the power project met an accident while it was taking to Palatana from Akhaura”, he said.
Sources said, the ONGC CMD will soon visit the site to review the progress of ongoing works. Reports from Palatana said, the erection of transmission line for evacuating power seems a major problem with designated agency failing to meet the deadline.
Tripura Power Minister Manik Dey had already voiced concern over the tardy pace of transmission line because there is no facility of national power grid in the state yet.