PANAJI
The State government has strongly backed the Tamnar Power line project stating that the entire economy of Goa is dependent on the project -- an interstate transmission system project envisaged by the Union Power Ministry in 2015.
Addressing a seminar on effective electrical power storage and management, Goa Chief Electrical Engineer Stephen Fernandes said that if such projects are opposed and not implemented in time bound manner, power problems are inevitable for the State.
He said that no grid can sustain one source and at many times, the department is unable to handle the load or undertake repairs despite wanting to.
Chief electrical engineer Stephen Fernandes on Saturday strongly endorsed the Tamnar power line, stating that the entire economy of the state is dependent on it.
Former power minister and incumbent PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral, who has been extending support to the project ever since it was proposed, said that Tamnar project is “very important” and “everybody should support the project”.
It can be noted that Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industries (GCCI) had recently written to the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant requesting to expedite the approvals, particularly permission to cut trees, for the 400 KV D/C power line proposed under the Goa Tamnar Transmission Project by Sterlite Power. GCCI had expressed its unhappiness to the fact that the project is running behind its schedule.
According to the industries, at present, Goa has just one 400 KV power line that delivers power from the Western region. Goa also gets 100 MW of power at 220 KV from the Southern region at the Ponda and Xeldem substation.
The Goa-Tamnar Transmission Project, had managed to get a relief from the Supreme Court as it has realigned its proposed electric lines for additional 400 KV feed to Goa along the existing 220 KV line instead of cutting down fresh forest cover through the protected area.
