AGARTALA, June 24 (TIWN): Tripura Government leaving no stone unturned preparing to connect Bangladesh South Comilla District with at least 100 MW of power from one of its dream project despite the so called signature project Palatana OTPC undergoing uninterrupted shutdown currently since after its installation. Pegged at Rs 83 crore, the project work is underway to expedite the power transmission, said the officials. Bangladesh has decided to connect the power grid of the southern part of Comilla with India’s eastern province of Tripura to import 100 MW of electricity. The 100MW imported power is expected to feed the demand of the southern part of Comilla, which includes the district’s load centre – Comilla south sadar, Jangalia and BSCIC area.

However, to expedite the supply of 100 MW power to Bangladesh from Tripura, the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) entrusted with the task has targeted to finish the work of laying the transmission line by this year. 100 MW power will be fed from Suryamaninagar grid of Agartala to Brahmanbaria grid from the state governments share of 726 MW capacity gas based mega power project at Palatana in south Tripura.

A total of 65 towers will be installed to supply the power to the neighbouring country. Currently, seven towers are being constructed. However, the PGCIL has been erecting 20 km long 400 KV transmission line on Indian side.

The price of the power would be fixed by the PGCIL soon after the laying of the transmission towers. Interestingly, according to the official source, “The Palatana OTPC is currently not in a position to meet the demand of the power here in the state as well as abroad as it has been undergoing frequent shutdown since after its installation.” The official also said, “Both the unit of the Palatana OTPC are unable to run at a time as a result the power generation fell down worsening the power situation here in Tripura.”

The official source added, “Might be the Palatana OTPC is eyeing forward to increase its production to rest it at 500 MW by this month, but if the situation remains the same like now with frequent shutdown than it would risk the power export to our neighbouring country Bangladesh.”

However, despite all odd the Tripura Left front Government is eyeing towards to make the state a power surplus state with its capacity to sell at least 200 MW of power daily from Tripura to other north eastern states and the neighbouring country Bangladesh by 2016. The Bangladesh Government had extended its helping hand allowing Tripura Government to use their land transporting heavy machineries and equipments for setting up of the OTPC plant at Palatana, South District of the state.