Talcher-Kolar grid ahead of schedule

Speaking to The Indian Express, R.P. Singh, CMD of PGCIL said that the project was supposed to use funds from the World Bank for the project when it was planned. ‘‘However, for almost two years in the post-sanctions stage, the World Bank funds did not come in and we had already called for tenders for the project,’’ Singh said.

‘‘We then approached the government to give the project a deemed export status so that we could get on with the construction work,’’ Singh explained. ‘‘By doing this we ensured that there would be no wastage of time as a result of the delay in the World Bank loan and we gave government the undertaking that any benefits that accrue due to this status would be remitted back to the government,’’ Singh stated.

While the NTPC project in Talcher has a June, 2003 deadline, the PGCIL transmission lines are expected to be ready by December, 2002 at the Talcher end, and by June, 2003 at the Kolar end.