AGARTALA, July 7 (TIWN): After receiving SOS from the OTPC, two experts from General Engineering Company, a US based company today arrived at Palatana to undertake necessary repair on the 376 MW power plant, official sources confirmed. As per the agreement, two engineers of GEC are stationed at Palatana plant to oversee its operation of the turbines.Of late, the production of Palatana plant has been reduced to 180 MW which is almost fifty percent to its installed capacity causing concern for the OTPC. Tough there has been constant effort to increase power generation, the plant develops problem in the process of enhancing generation prompting the OTPC to bring experts, said OTPC’s Managing Director SK Dube over telephone from Delhi.

“Two experts from the GE are expected to begin work on the plant from tomorrow. And, local engineers will assist them” he said. The US based company- GE had supplied the turbines for the Palatana power plant and as per the agreement it will provide necessary help if the plant requires. Since power production is not stable at Palatana plant, Tripura State Electricity Corporation Ltd (TSECL) is in trouble to run one of the power units at Rukhia Thermal power project in Sonamura subdivision.

ONGC’s chairman cum managing director (CMD) DK Sarraf is scheduled to arrive here on July 12  to attend Annual General Meeting (AGM) of OTPC. In the sideline of the meeting, Mr. Sarraf would visit Palatana plant.  “We are receiving only half of the power from Palatana due to the ongoing trouble there leading to shortage in supply of power. One of the units at Rokhia Thermal project needs immediate repair or else it could stall anytime”, said a senior official of TSECL here today.

He added, “We heard that OTPC has brought experts from Delhi to undertake necessary repair works on the plant. We have no option but to wait for the restoration of production at mega power plant”.