PGCIL is setting up power projects in Afghanistan

New Delhi, Nov 24: The Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) is setting up a 220 Kilo Volt (KV) Double Circuit Transmission Line of 202 Kms from Pul-e-Khumri to Kabul and a 220/110/20KV Sub station at Kabul in Afghanistan at an estimated cost of Rs 478 crore to be funded by the External Affairs Ministry, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said in a written reply that the project on completion will supply power to Kabul from Uzbekistan and is expected to be completed by February 2009.

Apart from this India is also reconstructing the 42 Mega Watts (MW) Salma Dam Power Project in Herat province in Afghanistan at an estimated cost of Rs 498 crore. This project also involves erection of 110 KV power transmission line from Salma Dam to Herat city a distance of 143 Kms thereby providing electricity in the western provinces of Afghanistn. The project is likely to be completed by January 2009, he said.

India also supplied equipment for the construction of 130 Kms long 110 KV transmission line and another 150 Kms long 20/0.4 KV substation as also 110 KV and 20 KV trnsmission line material in Faryab province, in Northern Afghanistan at an estimated expenditure of Rs 39.2 crore, Mr Shinde added.

UNI