AGARTALA, June 9 (TIWN): Tripura Palatana OTPC gas based thermal power project and subsequent assurance by CPI-M Govt Ministers to make the state load shedding free has turned bleak. At present the power plans running under serious problems. When the entire state is heading forward with aim to make a surplus power state, the frequent shutdown of one of the OTPC units has now become a major threat to the state Government’s plan to export 100MW power to Bangladesh. Talking to TIWN on Monday evening TSECL Chairman cum Managing Director (CMD) S K Roy said, “At present Palatana OTPC Unit I is undergoing shutdown whereas another Unit-II is generating power.” It is worthy to mention here that earlier this year on the month of May 22 Roy said, “As both the units of Palatana OTPC are unable to run at a time, the power production is less, because when the Unit I starts its generation another has to be shut down”. State Govt high officials in a catch-22 situtaion as Tripura experiencing frequent load-sheddings but Chief Minister Manik Sarkar already promised to sell 100MW power from OTPC Palatana to Bangladesh. OTPC Palatana supposed to end Tripura's frequent power cut problems in summer, but now State's population realizing their dreams remain too far from reality.

TIWN had very recently published news on the major power problem that the state is facing at present with a frequent load shedding and the ‘deplorable’ condition of the Palatana plant which has brought a major embarrassment to the state Govt. here.

After the news was published in TIWN, Palatana OTPC Managing Director Satyajit Ganguly called TIWN office on Monday and clarified that “OTPC is strictly  performing as per grid code in line with the requisition of NER constituents in the order of 350-355 MW”. As per OTPC MD, Plants are not in 'deplorable' condition as mentioned in media. Though it sounds strange as Plant is unable to generate the full capacity of  of Unit-I and II to 726 MW.

Besides, he asked TIWN to always refer to the OTPC officials for any news items on the power plant saying, “We the officials are always available for the media here, therefore you can get information easily from us.”

But, here TIWN would like to draw Mr. Ganguly’s attention phrasing that “Since after the installation of the power plant, none of the officials of the plant answer to media -  either it may be OTPC MD or others were found available to talk to the media.”

Of course holding a press conference Mr. Ganguly had provided OTPC and his phone number to every reporters who remained present, but what makes it interesting is that Mr. Ganguly is not aware that despite he has given instructions to OTPC Palatana, but yet on Monday when TIWN contacted Palatana,  no officials at OTPC Palatana found bothered about providing plant status to TIWN.

However, it would be wise enough to say here that the Palatana OTPC power plant has been frequently undergoing shutdown of its units.  One cannot deny the fact that while inaugurating this  plant, it was supposed  to make the state load shedding free, following which the state Government here has been trying hard enough to make the power surplus state.