AGARTALA, Sep 16 (TIWN): Union Minister of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) D V Sadananda Gowda has expressed extreme displeasure on the poor functioning of Monarchak, the power plant that aimed to be an surplus power generation with 101 MW. Monarchak Power Plant that is under NEEPCO not only being suffered due to state govt’s negligence but ONGC for months cut the gas supply to the plant showing insufficient gas production, whereas Tripura Power Dept under Power Minister Manik Dey is also cold over the issue.

Not only this, NEEPCO is facing terrible financial losses due to the pending bills of Tripura Govt which once reached around 200 crores. Later state govt took Rs. 250 crores of loan from UBI at 10 rupees interest, but till day the bill has not been fully cleared.

Sadananda Gowda in his two day long visit after reviewing the 101 MW said, “After reviewing it has been observed that although the project has been commissioned by NNEPCO, it has been commissioned during March-2017, however the optimum benefit from the project could not be delivered due to power evacuation constraints. As per the approved plan, evacuation of power from the plant was envisaged by laying two transmission lines, namely Monarchak- Suryamoni Nagar line (42 KM) and Monarchak Rabindra Nagar Line (2.6 KM), to be constructed by Tripura State Electricity Corporation (lmt).

“The Rabindra Nagar line has been completed, however, the substation at Rabindra Nagar is yet to be upgraded to 132 KM. The other Monarchak- Suryamani Nagar transmission line (42) has not been completed by TSECLL for the last couple of years”, the Minister added.

Currently the power from TGBPP is being evacuated through an alternative arrangement. However, the Minister directed the officials of the Ministry of power, NEEPCO and officers of State Govt to complete the works within the given timelines.