An estimated 15 interstate transmission system (ISTS) schemes that were awarded under the tariff-based competitive bidding route (TBCB) are likely to be commissioned during the third quarter (Q3: October to December) of FY26.
According to an analysis by tndindia.com based on official statistics released by Central Electricity Authority (CEA), these 15 schemes include 10 by the private sector and five by Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL).
Within the private sector, Adani Energy Solutions Ltd (AESL) will see the full commissioning of three schemes, followed by Apraava Energy with two. The remaining five schemes are distributed over as many developers – IndiGrid, Megha Engineering & Infrastructures, Resurgent Power, Resonia (formerly Sterlite Grid) and ReNew Transmission Ventures.
These 15 schemes are expected to augment the interstate transmission system (ISTS) network by 4,824 ckm of transmission lines and 26,400 MVA of transformation capacity. [See endnote]. The total capitalization achieved by these projects is the range of Rs.18,115 crore. Nine of these schemes relate to evacuation of RE power, mainly in Gujarat.
It is observed that all these 15 projects, with the exception of just two, are contending with time overruns ranging from 6 months to as much as 75 months, with respect to their original completion schedule.
The two projects currently on schedule are Kishtwar Transmission Ltd by IndiGrid and Halvad Transmission Ltd by AESL.
These 15 schemes, on their full commissioning, will generate aggregate tariff of around Rs.1,560 crore for the developers. The highest tariff, of Rs.281.696 crore, is seen in the case of an ISTS scheme housed under “Powergrid Khavda II-C Transmission Ltd,” a TBCB subsidiary of PGCIL.
Inordinate delays
The most-delayed project in this list of 15 projects is an ISTS scheme “Immediate evacuation of North Karanpura (3×660 MW) generation project of NTPC” also known as “Eastern Region System Strengthening (ERSS) – XIX” and being developed by an AESL TBCB subsidiary “North Karanpura Transco Ltd.”
The project with three key elements was to fully commission by September 2019. While two of these were commissioned by October 2022, the final element – a 400kV double-circuit line from North Karanpura to Gaya, running nearly 200 ckm – was stifled by serious land-related issues. Due to high compensation sought by land owners in Gaya district of Bihar and Chatra district of Jharkhand, progress on two corridors of just about 1 km each was adversely affected. As of end-September 2025, the issue was understood to be resolved and the unfinished line is set to complete by December 2025.
Another much delayed project is “NRSS XXXVI and LILO of Sikar-Neemrana 400kV D/C line at Babai (RVPNL)” housed under project SPV “NRSS XXXVI Transmission Ltd.” This project was to commission by December 2019. However, the project faced an uncertain future after its original developer Essel Infraprojects turned insolvent. Matters revived when Resurgent Power Ventures acquired the project, under a corporate insolvency package, in March 2022. Significant project progress was briskly achieved by the new owner with one element getting commissioned in October 2023. The entire project is now scheduled to commission by end-October 2025 with the commissioning of the final element — a 400kV double-circuit line from Koteshwar to Rishikesh, in Uttarakhand.
In the case of 11 projects, the delay has ranged from six months to 24 months. In majority of these instances, the delay had to do with land-related issues covering delayed forest-related clearances, higher compensation sought by land owners, etc. In some such cases, such as the project housed under “Powergrid Narela Transmission Ltd,” matters even escalated to the Supreme Court.
Cumulative status
As of September 30, 2025, a total of 87 ISTS-TBCB schemes were under construction envisaging total investment of Rs.223,291 crore. These together sought to build 35,074 ckm of transmission lines (mainly in the 765kV and 400kV voltage class) and 3,18,400 MVA of transformation capacity. PGCIL accounted for 43 of these schemes, and enjoyed a market share of 57.6 per cent in terms of transmission lines and 59.5 per cent with respect to transformation capacity. In terms of aggregate project outlay, the Central PSU had a share of 55.5 per cent. (See table)
Note: This story deals with full commissioning of ISTS-TBCB schemes expected in Q3FY26, based on their status as of September 30, 2025. It is likely that in some cases, few transmission elements have already been commissioned though full project commissioning was pending. The addition of 4,824 ckm of transmission lines and 26,400 MVA of transformation capacity by these 15 schemes, as indicated in the story, represents the infrastructure envisaged by the full project. This estimate could be overstated to the extent of elements commissioned prior to September 30, 2025.
Featured photograph (source: Adani Energy Solutions Ltd) is for representation only