AGARTALA, Jan 16 (TIWN): Without any delay, it can be expected that the Indo-Bangla power transmission will begin from next month, as claimed by Power Minister Manik Dey. Keeping up its commitment, the Modi-govt is making quick progress in strengthening economic and friendship ties with Bangladesh, popping up new opportunities for the North-East region, especially Tripura. It is to be mentioned here that, India has already inked an agreement to supply 100 MW of electricity to Bangladesh from the gas-based Palatana power plant from Tripura at ₹5.50 a unit more or less identical to the weighted average generation tariff of 6.50 in Bangladesh. India currently supplies 500 MW to Dhaka through the West Bengal border. With the aim to dig out a cordial solution regarding the power tariff for the transmission of 100MW power to Bangladesh, a high level meeting between the representatives of India and Bangladesh was held at Bangladesh where it was decided to supply power to Bangladesh from Tripura.Talking to TIWN correspondent on Friday, Power Minister Manik Dey said stage is all set to kick off the power transmission to Bangladesh and is only awaiting nod for the inauguration. Dey also said that testing and experiment is already completed and it is expected that without much hurdles the transmission will begin in full swing from February.Centre in consultation with the Tripura government had decided to sell 100MW power after the Bangladesh government allowed free transhipment of heavy turbines for the 726.6MW Palatana thermal power plant.

Reportedly, The 100 MW power will be dispatched to Bangladesh from Suryamaninagar power sub-station at the outskirts of Agartala and for transmission of 100 MW power, the works on transmission lines is completed on 400 KV double circuit transmission lines. About 143 towers are set up for 47 kilometer long transmission lines up to South Comilla of Bangladesh. About Rs 250 crore is utilized to complete the transmission lines.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had raised the issue during her visit to Tripura in January 2012 and pressed for power sale from Palatana to her country.

For power transmission and supply, 47km of power cable lines are being set up to connect Surjyamani Nagar in southern Agartala with southern part of Comilla town in Bangladesh. In Tripura, there are 17km of transmission lines while the remaining 29km is in Bangladesh.

In Tripura, Power Grid Corporation of India Limited has laid the transmission lines while in the neighbouring country a local company has carried out the work.

The total expense for construction of transmission lines and towers is of Rs 250 crore, of which Rs 83 crore is for construction in Tripura.