AGARTALA, May 9 (TIWN): The commissioning of ill-fated Manarchak is still uncertain after a joint visit by ONGC and NEEPCO abruptly ended without any headway, according to official sources. Following instruction from the Ministry of Power, ONGC’s Engineering Chief Mr. Pandey (Agartala Asset) and NEEPCO’s Executive Director Malcom David Ray visited the Manarchak plant in Sonamura subdivision on Thursday. However, the joint visit remained inconclusive following difference of opinion on the progress of the Manarchak power plant.

“They came but the inspection remains inconclusive due to adamant attitude by the ONGC side putting the project back burner”, said SR Biswas, the Head of Project (HOP), Manarchak plant over telephone from the plant today.

He claimed the Manarchak plant is ready to get be commissioned once the gas is supplied to it by the ONGC but it seems thing will linger further.

“The turbine is ready to receive gas but the fixing of steam turbine till take few months more. The NEEPCO will suffer if the ONGC delays in supplying gas”, he said.

On being asked about the possible gas supply date, Biswas said, “It the INGC who will tell the true. Their version is very confusing when it comes to supply of gas”.

While the gas turbine is supposed to produce 63 MW power, the steam turbine is suppose to generate 38 MW power, according to the plan envisaged by the NEEPCO.

The NEEPCO has already invested Rs. 780 crore to commission the 101 MW power project at Palatana. The gas thermal project was supposed to be commissioned by September 2013 but has not yet started generation leading to huge loss of the NEEPCO.