AGARTALA, May 18 (TIWN): After the shutdown of Palatana power from today for PGT (performance guarantee test), ONGC has started checking the 52 –km gas pipeline, said an official source. For testing the control valves and pipeline senior engineers have arrived, they will start work from tomorrow.

Speaking about the checking, the official said that as there is shutdown at Palatana ONGC decided to check the gas pipline so that gas can be supplied to the power plant uninterrupted.

The scheduled shutdown of first unit Palatana thermal power plant begun from May 17 mid – night. It would  continue for maximum seven  days  The first turbine has to undergo the project guarantee test (PGT) to ensure longevity and smooth performance,  said the source adding BHEL engineers have started testing and it will go round the clock. 

Meanwhile for overcoming the power shortage, Tripura State Electric Corporation Limited (TSECL) has o ensured supply of an additional amount of 50 MW of power from NTPC and PTC to meet the power demand during the peak-load hours for a week

The total off-peak load hour power demand of the State during these days is around 200 MW (between noon and 5 pm) and around 150 MW to 200 MW (between 6 am and noon). The power demand of the State during the peak-load hours these days is around 250 MW between 8 pm and 9 pm.