AGARTALA, July 28 (TIWN): Setting aside all speculations, the OTPC today said the second unit of Palatana would come up by September if the natural gas supply is ensured within stipulated time, said OTPC Managing Director SK Dube. Works are in full swing to undertake commercial operation of Patalana's second unit and we are hopeful of commissioning the plant by September as pre-commissioning synchronizing has already been done, he said while talking to TIWN over telephone from Delhi tonight.

"Laying to Gas Turbine and Steam Turbine for the second unit have already been done and some minor works are left at the plant site", he said adding that it would take one-month time after getting gas supply to commission the plant (Unit-II).

Dube said the laying of gas pipeline has been making good progress with the ONGC's Chairman cum Managing Director has been monitoring the work on daily basis. Here it may be noted that the ONGC had to face a lot of trouble after the gas pipeline work has got stalled for unavoidable reasons. However, Engineers India Ltd (EIL) has been tasked to undertake unfinished pipeline work to supply gas to two power plants- Manarchak and Palatana unit-II. Of late, the Executive Director (on-shore) has paid a visit to review the progress of pipeline work. Palatana's unit-II will require 1.6 MMSCMD gas per day.

Meanwhile, Palatana thermal power plant- Unit I would not place under scheduled shut down due to severe power shortage in the entire Northeast region. The OTPC has approached the Northeast Regional Power Committee (NERPC), region's highest body in the power sector seeking permission to go on shut down. But the NERPC has not given its consent in view of the power crisis like situation in the entire Northeast region. However, shut down may take place by September, according to sources.