PGCIL to develop Patna as electricity generation hub

Patna, May 22 (UNI) The Powergrid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL), a Central Transmission Utility (CTU), today inaugrated a 400/220 KV sub-station at Gaurichak on the Patna-Gaya highway with Oil and Equipment Testing Lab facility, the first of its kind in the region.

Addressing a press conference here after the inauguration ceremony, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the company Dr R P Singh said the PGCIL was engaged in construction, operation and maintenance of inter-state transmission system as well as operation of National and Regional Powergrids.

''The PGCIL has emerged as one of the largest transmission utilities in the world by playing a strategic role in the power sector,'' he said.

Dr Singh informed that the company had also bagged the prestigious National Award for 2006-07 for meritorious performance in silver category for the 400 KV Kahalgaon-Patna-Baliya transmission line.

''When I came here for the first time to start project in Bihar, I was cautioned not to invest in the state because of the insecurity and serious law and order problem, yet I decided to go ahead. Today, the Powergrid is proud of the Eastern region's landmark achievements,'' he said.

He also promised a special centre of the PGCIL in Patna, making a permanent sub-station as electricity generation hub by increasing the efficiency with the skilled manpower support.

Reitreating his commitment for the rural electrification scheme, Dr Singh said 50,000 Below Poverty Line families from 12,000 commissioned villages would be benefitted under the scheme.

''We will continue to extend the surplus power to the common people in deficit areas,'' he added.

Recently, the PGCIL had been given the Navratna status by the government, he added.

He informed that the company would start operations from the 800 KV sub-station in Gaya with a total estimated cost of Rs 2,800 crore while seprate projects of Rs 6,000 crore for APDRP and Rs 1,000 to 12,000 crore for underground cable project in Patna were under execution and would be completed by January 2009.

Besides, Fatuha in Patna district will also be connected from the Gaurichak sub-station, he informed.

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