Fresh DPR for Tripura power project

Agartala, Aug 12: The Northeastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) has submitted a fresh Detailed Project Report (DPR) to the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) last week seeking approval of 104 MW power project at Monarchak in bordering West Tripura.

A three member delegation of the NEEPCO officials visited the state yesterday and held meeting with state Power Minister Manik Dey. He informed that the NEEPCO would purchase gas from the ONGC even though it hikes the price of natural gas for the project.

The NEEPCO officials here today stated Rs 450 crore were proposed in the new DPR for the project and the next phase of action would depend upon the CEA and Ministry of power.

The then Power Minister Mr Suresh Prabhu in the NDA regime laid the foundation for 540 MW project in Monarchak in 2003 but entire project was held up due to opposition of Ministry of Finance and cabinet committee in the UPA government, said the NEEPCO officials.

They opposed the project stating that Monarchak was not financially viable, however, it had given the clearance of 750 MW gas based power project in Palatana in South Tripura to the ONGC, which was launched by Prime Minister Dr Monmohan Singh in September 2005.

Finally, the MPs from Northeast jointly had moved prime minister for revival of Monarchak and with the intervention of the PM, Ministry of Finance cleared the project, officials stated.

Meanwhile, the ONGC had agreed to supply 0.5 MCD gas for Monarchak with it's enhanced price.

UNI