Power Grid Corporation of India has bagged a
transmission project valued at Rs.479 crore in Afghanistan. An agreement to this
effect was reached on 12 August 2005 between PGCIL and India's Union ministry of
external affairs.
The entire expenditure on the project shall be
borne by the Indian Government as part of the assistance programme to
Afghanistan.
The project comprises construction of 220 KV
double circuit transmission line from Pul-e-Khumri to Kabul, a distance of 202
km, and a new 220/110/20 KV sub-station at Kabul. It will enable Afghanistan to
import power from generating stations in Uzbekistan to Kabul to bridge the gap
in demand and supply. The project is scheduled for completion by February
2009.
Project equipment weighing about 15,000 tonnes
would be cargoed from India to Afghanistan via Bandar Abbas Port in Iran and
thereafter shipped along a distance of 2,500 km to Afghanistan.
PGCIL has taken up route alignment, survey, and
soil investigation work. The tenders for the procurement of goods and services
required for the construction of the project are likely to be finalised in a
month. The design, including testing of all five types of towers, has also been
completed. A team of senior personnel from PGCIL has been deputed to Kabul to
set up office and take up pre-construction activities, it is learnt.
INTORDR