AGARTALA, June 16 (TIWN): Monarchak cannot function until they get gas from ONGC. Once they get gas from ONGC the turbines will start running in full swing.

Powered by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC), Tripura's 101 MW gas-based Monarchak power plant has undergone complete shutdown and is lying completely dead due to the gas cut from ONGC, said official source.

Talking to TIWN correspondent, NEEPCO high official said that the 101 MW gas-based Monarchak power plants in Sipahijala district at Sonamura sub-division has stopped power production after gas supply was stopped from ONGC.

He further said that there is no problem with the turbines but it can only run if it gets sufficient amount of gas from ONGC.

He also said that recently, NEEPCO and ONGC high official held meeting where it is decided that ONGC will be able to supply gas form November and before that it cannot provide the sufficient amount of gas to run the turbines.

However, the 101 MW gas-based Monarchak power plant in Sipahijala district at Sonamura sub-division is unable to support power generation as ONGC is not supplying gas to the plant.

According to the highly placed official source, currently the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is unable to supply gas to Monarchak power plant and will be able after November of this year and not before that.

The official further informed that in a recent meeting with the officials of ONGC, TSECL and others it has not been confirmed yet whether ONGC will continue supplying gas to Monarchak after November.

He said that when Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) pipes the gas to Palatana OTPC plant to get their both the units run as a result the scarcity comes up in Monarchak plant. The ONGC was already asked to restore their gas supply and ensure sufficient gas supply to Monarchak now there is no assurance when will ONGC resume power supply, added official.

Run by North East Electrical Power Corporation (NEEPCO), government undertaking gas based power plant at Monarchak at Tripura Sonamura Sub division is currently facing a loss with its power production as the government of Tripura run Tripura State Electricity Corporation Ltd. (TSECL) is reluctant to buy power from the plant due to high power cost as compared to other power plants in Tripura.