India assures six transmission projects completed by year end despite facing delays

The delay was caused by the Supreme Court judgement on transmission lines.

The Ministry of Power has clarified that only six transmission projects of the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) with a total value of $792.7m (INR6,500 crore) faced hurdles due to Supreme Court judgement on transmission lines in Great Indian Bustard areas. With issues already addressed, these are on track to be completed by end-2024, it noted.

Authorities issued the statement following reports that said 18 of 50 projects of the PGCIL face an average of 32-month delay.

The ministry said no new generation capacity is hindered by delays in the PGCIL transmission projects. All projects implemented in the past five years were completed before generation commenced, it added.

“The transmission schemes are planned keeping in view the demand scenario in future and lines may not be loaded to their full capacity from the year of commissioning.  Interim arrangements are also made, as required, for evacuation of power, till the final transmission system is ready,” the ministry said. 

India said it is targeting to complete the high-voltage alternating current transmission system within 24-36 months and the high-voltage direct current system within five years. This is less than the implementation of transmission projects in other countries that go beyond eight to nine years, it noted. 

$1 =  INR82