PALATANA / UDAIPUR, October 10 (TIWN): As per BHEL's latest scheduled programme activity in Unit-II of OTPCs Combined Cycle Gas Turbine(CCGT) Thermal Power Plant in Palatana began here on Thursday afternoon. An OTPC engineer told TIWN over phone," As of now only Gas Booster Compressor is put into operation. But neither Gas Turbine nor Steam Turbine is operational yet. However, it is expected that by Friday afternoon technicians of BHEL may try to start the Gas or Steam Turbine. Apart from this all other activities of Unit-II are going on." Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to inaugurate the Commercial Generation from Unit-II of this mega plant in the third week of November. Accordingly Prime Minister's Office(PMO) too has been informed by the top level ONGC officials about the inaugural programme.

 Earlier Indian Deputy High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sandeep Chakraborty visited OTPCs Palatana Power Plant on Wednesday afternoon. A top level OTPC Official told TIWN on Wednesday afternoon," The Dy High Commissioner did not have any official meeting with OTPC officials but his visit is an indication that Indian Govt and Bangladesh are looking seriously as far as OPTC Unit-II is concerned. Bangladesh is scheduled to get 100MW from OTPC and Commercial Generation from Unit-II(363.3MW) is really very crucial for this to happen."

      However, a senior OTPC Official told TIWN on Wednesday evening," This time BHEL will not do anything in haste. In June 2013 soon after the inauguration of COG from  Unit-I , the plant went to complete shutdown as the Gas Booster Compressors were badly damaged. After three months these Compressors were repaired from BHEL's manufacturing unit in assistance of the experts of John Crane, the manufacturing company of Gas Booster Compressors. Quite naturally BHEL will not take any risk lest it has to face similar situation."

      Meanwhile the Trial Run for the unit-II as part of the 'Build Up of COG' will begin from Thursday morning. An OTPC engineer told TIWN over phone," BHEL experts , who will supervise the 'Trial Run' will be in the project site by early morning tomorrow. And by noon the 'Trial Run' will start. It is expected that the 'Trial Run' will be completed by the end of third week of October."