Power Grid sets up 'suicidal' towers in Afghan

New Delhi, June 16: State-owned Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCIL) today said it has set up ''suicidal'' towers in war-torn Afghanistan in its efforts to restore electricity in the country.

PGCIL CMD R P Singh said that these towers if damaged or fall in the event of a natural calamity or bomb attack, as the chances are more in the war ravaged country, another tower will spring up in its place thus ensuring no interruption in the electricity supply.

Power Grid Corporation had entered into an agreement with Ministry of External Affairs for executing a 110 million dollar transmission project in Afghanistan.

The project financed by the central government is scheduled for completion by 2009.

The project would enable Afghanistan to import power from generating stations located in Uzbekistan to Kabul. It entails construction of a 202 km-long 220 KV double circuit transmission line from Pul-e-Kumri to Kabul and new 220/110/20 KV substation in Kabul.

The transmission line will pass through snow-bound tough hilly terrain with altitudes ranging from 1800 meters to 4000 meters and temperatures as low as 30 degrees Celsius below zero.

The material required for the project would be transported from India to Afghanistan by sea route via-Iran and thereafter through 2500 km long land route, it said.

UNI