Delay in 66 kv line to Spiti irks CM

Tribune News Service

Shimla, September 6

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today expressed concern over the inordinate delay in the completion of the two-decade-old 66 kv transmission line which would have provided uninterrupted power supply to far-flung areas of Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur district.

Virbhadra expressed his displeasure while presiding over the meeting of the State Tribal Advisory Council (TAC) here today. “The HP State Electricity Board (HPSEB) had spent more than Rs 50 crore on the laying of transmission line from Bokhtu (Karcham Wangtu) to Kaza up to Losar but it is still incomplete,” he remarked. The 66-kv/22-kv lines were to be laid from Karcham to Kaza covering a distance of over 150 km. The work on it started in 1997.

He said though the weather conditions might have caused some hindrances in carrying out the work along with some other natural reasons, but since the project was conceived way back in 1997, it should have been completed till now. “The department should have thought of laying underground cables, wherever feasible, to overcome the natural impediment,” he said.

The HPSEB officials pointed out that the line from Bokhtu was made operational in 2005, but due to heavy snowfall in 2015, wires got snapped at many places. These were repaired and power restored in January 2016. As far as the work from Akpa to Pooh was concerned, 110 towers had been installed but due to sliding and glacier zones problems are being faced in laying transmission line from Pooh to Kaza.

Virbhadra also expressed concern over the slow pace of work on the Atargu-Mudh-Bhawa road (106 kms) which would shorten the distance to Pin Valley by almost 100 km. He directed the Forest Department to expedite forest clearance as 28 kms fell in the Pin Valley National Park Wildlife Sanctuary.

Discussions were also held regarding construction of tunnel at ‘Urni Dhank’, in Kinnaur for a permanent solution to overcome problem of landslides. Officials pointed out that a consultant had been appointed and the report is awaited.

He said development works in tribal areas had been speeded up during the past two years with special attention on education, health and other public utility sectors. In 2016-17, a provision of Rs 696 crore had been made under Plan and Rs 610 crore under Non-Plan for Tribal areas of the State for development activities.