After attending the 8th NERPC meeting yesterday, Tripura Power Minister Manik Dey told mediapersons here today that the 6th NERPC meeting in Pasarighat of Arunachal Pradesh had decided in 2008 that Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCL) would be asked to upgrade entire 132 KV transmission line to 400 KV from Palatana (Tripura) to Bongaigoan (Assam) and the Power Ministry was asked for funding in 90:10 ratio.
''Unfortunately, Assam signed Bulk Power Transmission Agreement (BPTA) excluding four transmission lines, Silchar-Imphal, Silchar-Melriat, Silchar-PK Bari and Palatana-Suryamaninagar and all other states, including Chief Minister of Manipur O Ibobi Singh, expressed displeasure over it. Finally, Assam State Electricity Board (ASEB) officials made commitment to sign it by next week but it has now become a bad precedence,'' Mr Dey said.
Justifying the demand of transmission line upgradation Mr Dey pointed out with the escalating demand of power a good number of power projects, including Palatana, Lower Subarnasiri and Kameng, would be commissioned by next few years but power supply would be affected seriously unless transmission line was upgraded accordingly.
Highlighting the persistent power crisis in Northeastern region, Mr Dey demanded early commissioning of Palatana and Monarchak gas based power projects, which would substantiate the peak hour demand of the region as well as boost industrialisation in NE states.