Transmission line addition shoots up in January 2026, best performance in recent history
- February 16, 2026
The quantum of transmission line addition in January 2026 shot up to over 2,300 ckm, making it the best monthly performance in the past 21 months.
According to latest statistics released by Central Electricity Authority, a total of 2,315 ckm of transmission lines (of 220kV or above) was added in January 2026.
This was not only the highest monthly achievement in the current fiscal year so far, it was the best performance since March 2024 when a staggering 3,512 ckm was commissioned.
Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) was the biggest contributor having commissioned 1,456 ckm, accounting for 63 per cent of the total quantum of transmission lines commissioned in January 2026.
PGCIL commissioned 1,285 ckm of 765kV lines and one 400kV line of 171 ckm, making it the Central PSU’s best monthly achievement in recent history.
PGCIL’s addition came through four lines – all part of ISTS-TBCB schemes, and dedicated to renewable energy evacuation.
In fact, one such line, the 765kV Bhadla-II – Sikar-II double-circuit (2nd) line in Rajasthan (628 ckm), resulted in India’s transmission network crossing the 5-lakh ckm milestone, as discussed in tndindia.com’s story dated January 25, 2026.
Supporting PGCIL’s achievement of 1,456 ckm in January 2026 was the private sector with 575 ckm. State government utilities contributed 284 ckm, entirely through 220kV lines.
The 575 ckm added by the private sector in January 2026 came entirely from the intrastate-TBCB project housed under “South East UP Power Transmission Company Ltd,” owned by Resurgent Power Ventures in which Tata Power has 26 per cent holding. The build-up came through two 765kV lines (Mainpuri-Bara and Mainpuri-Unnao), bringing the overall project very close to full commissioning.
For PGCIL, the months of December 2025 (when 1,436 ckm was commissioned) and January (1,456 ckm) have proved very favourable. PGCIL expects to continue this streak in February and March 2026, which is borne out in the fact that the Central PSU has upwardly revised its capitalization target for FY26 (whole year) from Rs.20,000 crore to Rs.22,000 crore. (Read tndindia.com special report dated February 4, 2026)
Cumulative performance
In the first ten months of FY26 (10M: April to January), a total of 7,392 ckm of lines were commissioned, around 17 per cent higher than the corresponding 6,327 ckm in 10MFY25. However, achieving the 15,382 ckm targeted for completion in the whole of FY26 seems arduous, at this stage.
PGCIL’s accelerated pace of line addition has had a favourable impact on growth in the interstate transmission system (ISTS) network. During 10MFY26, a total of 3,420 ckm of transmission lines were commissioned on the ISTS side. It is therefore very likely that FY26 will easily surpass the 3,652 ckm added on the ISTS network in FY25 (full year). It must be noted, however, that FY25 had seen the lowest transmission line addition to the ISTS network seen in any fiscal year since FY15, at least.
Featured photograph is for representation only