Revised cost for Tripura power project gets nod

AGARTALA - The revised cost estimate of Rs.623.44 crore for Tripura’s 100 MW thermal power project has got the green signal from the union Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), officials said here Friday.

“The CCEA headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in its meeting held in New Delhi Thursday approved the revised cost estimate of gas-based power project being implemented by the state-owned North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO) at a cost of Rs.623.44 crore,” a Tripura government official told reporters.

The power project to be commissioned at Monarchak in Sonamura, bordering Bangladesh, is scheduled to start generating electricity within 36 months of the starting of actual work. The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) will supply natural gas.

The official said the power project would contribute to the economic development of the northeastern states by providing 100 MW power and direct and indirect employment to the local population.

“Being a combined-cycle power station using natural gas and water, the plant shall be of high efficiency and also an environmentally compatible project, with negligible emission,” the official stated.

According to the official, this power plant would mitigate the problem of power shortage in the northeastern region and the consequent need for import of power, particularly during the winter seasons.

“The power project would improve the hydro-thermal mix in the northeastern region and the country,” the official pointed out.