PALATANA/UDAIPUR, December 10 (TIWN): As expected the planned shut down in OTPCs UNIT-II began from 1pm on Monday. This shut down is said to be a planned one though it is not confirmed for how many days it will continue. It is to be mentioned here on 1st December Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the Unit-II of the 726.6MW Combined Cycle Gas Turbine(CCGT) Thermal Power plant in Palatana.

During this time it was in discussion that due to hurry, technicians couldn't have gone through the compulsory shutdown that is usually done ahead of actual commercial Generation. The Unit-II of OTPC is capable of generating 363.3,MW. AN OTPC engineer told TIWN on wednesday," This time the shutdown was a must because we couldn't have gone through the compulsory shut downs as scheduled earlier as clear signal of PM Modi's programme was given for December. Thus, shutdown is a part of planned activity ."

      Earlier Unit-II of OTPC was scheduled to complete its Trial Run on 7th December. But a highly placed TIWN sources informed on Tuesday," Chief Minister Manik Sarkar all on a sudden started showing much interest in inaugurating by the hands of PM Modi, quite an unexpected event as far as the party line of CPI(M) is concerned. But by doing so Manik Sarkar didn't even think to have a chat with the technical experts of OTPC. And the result is now clear to all. " There is no surprise that Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, who was under the scanner of national and local Media regarding his allegedly lenient attitude shown to multiple corruptions and close aides like corrupt BDO Bimal Chakraborty , was expecting to get an opportunity that would not only give him a lifeline against the continuous media attack against him but also an opportunity to attract international media. Naturally he pressurized a section of OTPC as well as ONGC officials not to say anything about OTPC Unit-II before the media .

       As per the scheduled plan of OTPC regarding OTPC Unit-II there were three proposed shutdown. The first one from 9th November to 15th November. The Second one was scheduled to take place from 18th to 19th November and the third one to to be held on 22nd November to 26th November. But as Manik Sarkar was much interested to bring PM Modi to Tripura to dedicate the Unit-II of OTPC to the nation, nobody even took care of the compulsory Trial Run( of 15days). Before the PM programme was finalized, OTPCs Unit-ii shutdown was to taken place in 23rd November to 7th December. But all these were postponed due to PM visit . And now OTPC will go through these phases mentioned before.

     A TIWN also confirmed that even the power selling agreement has yet to be completed. Unless the power selling agreement is competed, there is no question of confusion. Now it is seen that OTPC can't start Commercial Generation before 2015.