The Maharashtra government’s excess electricity will not go waste, as a national grid transmission line is being laid from Aurangabad to Padgha in Thane. This can be used for selling power to other states. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has recently taken a review of the project to ensure that there are no hurdles. The transmission line would connect the state with the national power transmission circuit for exchange of electricity.
The work for the 285-kilometre of transmission line is ongoing but is also facing certain hurdles like compensation to farmers, land acquisition etc. The PM, through video conferencing last week held a meeting with chief secretary Swadheen Kshatriya on the issue and took stock of the status of the work. Mr Modi has agreed to give in-principle nod to the green clearance to the transmission line, which passes through forestland at several places.
“The forest clearance for the national grid was pending as the line passes through the bird sanctuary at the Jayakwadi dam. (At) about 39 locations, the towers of the line were opposed by the farmers. The Prime Minister has assured that the ministries concerned will help the Maharashtra government to resolve the issues,” Mr Kshatriya said.
The state government is also giving a good compensation package as per the current norms to the farmers whose land would be used for the line. But still some opposition remains from the farmers to give away their lands. But the government has to complete the work by 2017 and also focus on other such lines across the state, Mr Kshatriya said.
The national grid is helpful for the state, as electricity exchange will be easier. “The state has surplus power now and we can sell our excess electricity to other states. The national grid will help in strengthening our network,” the chief secretary said.
According to the Ministry of Power, developments in power sector emphasise the need for accelerated implementation of National Power Grid on priority to enable scheduled/ unscheduled exchange of power as well as for providing open access to encourage competition in the power market.
