AGARTALA, May 11 (TIWN): The fresh work for the unfinished pipeline work of NEEPCO powered Monarchak power project work gets underway, said an official of source of ONGC. It was informed that machines have been mobilized at the working site on Thursday and the unfinished pipe line work is likely to be completed by next 45 days.

The problem arose after Shivani Oil and Gas Company deserted the gas pipeline laying work following severe financial crisis. To tide over the crisis like situation, the ONGC has scrapped the contract with Shivani Oil and Gas Company and gave the work order to local sub – contractors, with technical assistance from EIL (Engineering India Limited) a government of India PSU.
The Manarchak power plant was scheduled to start operation in January this year after several phases of delays. The plan was rescheduled after the Engineering India Limited (EIL) decided to take up the issue earlier this year and the deadline of operation was extended till October.

A joint team of ONGC and NEEPCO high official recently visited the power plant to take stalk on the progress of work of the Manarchak power plant. According to report, the joint visit remained inconclusive following difference of opinion between the officials.

The power plant which is environment-friendly project had been mooted in 2000 with an installed capacity of 500MW power, but the Monarchak project was reduced to 280MW in 2003-2004.

A US-based General Electric Company had designed the project and Bharat Heavy Electricals (Bhel) was supplying turbines for the 101MW project. Out of 101MW of power to be produced, 62MW will be produced by a gas turbine while the remaining 39MW of power will be generated by a steam turbine.