AGARTALA, January 14 (TIWN): ONGC (Oil & Natural Gas Corporation) Tripura began its first phase gas supply up to Sonamura Khedabari for Monarchak power plant, being set up by government-run NEEPCO in western Tripura. ONGC Asset Manager V P Mahawar today inaugurated the gas supply line at Palatana under Gomati District. The gas supply pipeline from Palatan via Khedabari will connect to NEEPCO Monarchak Power plant. Besides Monarchak Power Plant is ready to start its commissioning activities for 65 MW of power on its first phase, said NEEPCO Project Head S R Biswas.

The much awaited gas pipeline connecting Palatana with Sonamura Khedabari Gas Station today started supplying gas, with the ONGC Asset Manager V P Mahawar inaugurating its first phase gas supply.

Besides, the work of drilling for the pipeline under the River Gomati that will connect the NEEPCO for its power plant has already started from January 13 and it will take at least 2 days if everything is on right track, said Mahawar. The work of the gas pipeline from Palatana to Sonamura Khedabari Gas Station is completed for the gas supply to NEEPCO Monarchak Power Plant.

Talking to TIWN recently NEEPCO Project Head SR Biswas said that as per the official declaration the ONGC is likely to supply its first phase gas by the end of this month. “If ONGC gives us gas by the end of this month than we can start our turbines by the end of March”, said NEEPCO Head Biswas. He further added that once the Monarchak gets a gas from the ONGC than it will start its commissioning activities for 65 MW power generations in its first phase.

Whereas on the other putting stress on no further disturbance on the gas pipeline that once occurred while supplying gas to the OTPC, Mahawar said that one cyclone separator has been ordered which costs Rs. 1.2 crore, and it has already been dispatched from Delhi. Besides, gas filter had already been installed at Monarchak power Plant. And later the separator machine will be installed, said Mahawar.

He said that the ONGC has learnt a lesson after the disturbance found in the gas pipeline connecting to OTPC, therefore the ONGC now do not want to take any further chance of such disturbances, due to which the ONGC has now taken several preventive measures, said ONGC Asset Manager V.P Mahawar recently.