To be set up under IPDS; Jammu 'missed' 4 advanced GIS Substations

VISHAL. Updated: 10/20/2020 10:54:14 AM Front Page

Jammu: Plans to establish four technically advanced GIS (Gas Insulated) substations under Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) in the winter capital remained a distant dream as the same has been cancelled by the Power Finance Corporation Limited (PFCL) after the work orders were not issued to the firm--JK Electric Engineers Private Limited (JKEEPL), which was to execute the projects.
Reliable sources in the Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL) here said that the project worth over Rs 28 crore was cancelled through its letter, dated October 5 by the PFCL wrote to the Managing Director.
“Under IPDS of the Union Power Ministry, there were plans to set up four technologically advanced GIS (Gas Insulated) substations in Jammu city at different locations,” sources said adding that on October 5, 2020, PFCL cancelled the allocation of funds worth over Rs 28 crore.
This happened apparently, sources said because the JPDCL had not issued work orders to the firm—JK Electric Engineers Private Limited (JKEEPL)—the executing agency.
Sources in the JPDCL said that due diligence and all the ground work required for the GIS substations was done and tentatively New Plot, Nai Basti, PHE Mechanical Division office in Gandhi Nagar and Residency Road had been identified as locations where the substations were to be set up.
“These substations were to be set up by JKEEPL who were awarded the Letter of Intent (LoI) on May 26, the firm was awarded the tender, in other words and it conveyed acceptance on July 20,” official sources expressed.
Failing to comment on why the Letter of Award (LoA) could not be issued and what had led to the lapse of funds, an official said that in case of any difficulties arising out of some unforeseen issues, the locations could have been changed.
“The firm later wrote two reminders to the concerned authorities for issuance of Letter of Award (LoA) so that they could start work on all the four substations, but it could be matured,” they added.
After successful bidding, sources said that the company could get LOI of the tender and was never issued LOA, which would have meant final allocation of the project.
Sources said, “the Chief Engineer, Projects, JPDCL, Jammu, was directed through a letter, which read, “to request you not to carry out any further proceeding regarding the package till further orders as CC-I has yet to take a final call on the said package”.
Pertinently, the PFC had earlier sent a letter to MD on September 9, 2020, regarding the GIS substations, which specifically mentioned, “in case the projects are not awarded by September 2020, PFC to Suo Motto cancel the project and Grants released (if any) to be adjusted or recovered from Utility and to be informed to the Monitoring Committee in next meeting”.
One of the senior officials of the executing agencies, when contacted while confirming about issuance of Letter of Intent (LoI) and later cancellation of the tender without any reasons, said, “we had placed advance orders for the necessary equipment with the Germany based company. We had done this after the award of LoI after becoming the lowest bidder for executing the work on four GIS substations.”
The project had earlier been given two extensions, both this year itself, he claimed adding, “similar type of projects were initiated in the Kashmir valley out of which three GIS substations are being set up in the Srinagar city. These projects are at different stages of construction and work is on in right earnest.”
They further, “these projects were of an utmost importance for Jammu because, setting up of these substations, would have provided uninterrupted power supply.”

Updated On 10/20/2020 10:57:37 AM


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