Bhubaneswar: In an aim to ensure quality and uninterrupted power supply to consumers, the state Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik gave the nod to execute Phase-IV of Odisha Distribution System Strengthening Project (ODSSP) at a cost of Rs 1,796.73 crore, here Friday.
Briefing mediapersons after the meeting, Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra said the government had launched ODSSP during the 2013-14 fiscal for installing 473 numbers of 33/11 KV primary sub-stations and its associated lines across Odisha.
Based on the load flow analysis carried out by distribution companies, the Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited (OPTCL) has come up with a proposal for installation of 99 numbers of 33/11 KV primary sub-stations and independent 33 KV lines of 812.05 km length at a total estimated cost of `1,796.73 crore, Mahapatra said. He added that the project will be implemented over a period of three years effective from the 2021-22 fiscal.
The Cabinet has also approved another proposal for implementation of five transmission projects worth `259.43 crore in low voltage pockets with 30 per cent (` 77.83 crore) equity support from the state government. The projects will be taken up in the pockets where mega lift irrigation points are located.
The panel also approved a tender of `888.50 crore for implementation of redevelopment and expansion of SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack under Phase I. The work is to be completed within two years.
Similarly, three irrigation projects also got the nod from the Cabinet during the meeting. A tender of `443.21 crore was approved for the construction of underground pipeline irrigation system (gravity flow) of Rengali Right Irrigation Project (Phase-I) in Dhenkanal and Cuttack districts. Also a tender of `257.46 crore has been approved for construction of the distribution system in Balasore district while another tender of `126.46 crore was approved for Sandul barrage project in Kalahandi district.
It was decided at the meeting to regularise 3,328 MLE Sikshya Sahayaks, who were recruited from the tribal candidates of 17 districts having requisite qualification in 2013 under Samagra Shikshya.
Moreover, the State Cabinet has also approved the exemption of electricity duty on power consumption in favour of Indian Oil Corporation Limited’s (IOCL), Paradip Refinery unit as per the signed agreement.