Mundra UMPP (U-I & II): Tower erection work lagging substantially, likely to delay ATS availability

The tower erection work of the associated transmission system (ATS) for unit-I and II of the Mundra Ultra Mega Power Project (UMPP), which has seen incessant delays up till now, is now considerably much behind schedule, as per a report by the power ministry. As of June 2011, no more than 510 towers have been erected out of a total of 856 locations for the 400 kV D/C Mundra - Limbdi (Triple Snowbird) line, with 417 CKM of transmission lines yet to be laid out.

Further, right of way (RoW) issues and forestry clearance are critical for laying out the remaining 108 CKM of the 764 CKM long Mundra-Bachau-Ranchodpura line.

Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Limited (GETCO), the agency implementing the ATS for the project, needs to expedite balance pile works and work in the creek area for contingency plan of the ATS while Powergrid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) has completed the connection of the Bachchau- Ranchodpura line with Limdi till Ranchodpura section.

Pertinently, work is in progress for Bachchau bay extension and Limbdi bays extension. Also, progress is being made on the second transformer at Ranchodpura substation of 2 X 315 MVA.

Mundra UMPP, with 2 units of 800 MW capacity each, is a Tata power project located in Gujarat. The project entails an investment of Rs 17,000 crore and is being funded through a debt-equity ratio of 75:25. The executing agencies for ATS are GETCO and PGCIL.