A proposal to upgrade the existing 110kV Bhivpuri-Ambernath-Kalyan corridor in Maharashtra was recently approved by the Maharashtra Transmission Committee (MTC).
The owner and operator of the corridor Tata Power Company – Transmission (TPC-T) had put forth a proposal to this effect to MTC, which has now been cleared.
The scheme is formally referred to as “Upgradation and augmentation of existing 110kV Bhivpuri-Ambernath-Kalyan Corridor by replacing exiting conductor by higher capacity conductor along with tower modification/replacement.”
MTC has recommended the scheme to be implemented by TPC-T, under the regulated tariff mechanism (RTM) framework.
The scheme will involve construction of 220kV multi-circuit towers on the existing 110kV Bhivpuri-Ambernath-Kalyan corridor, which runs about 67 km.
To be implemented in two phases of 20 km and 47 km, the scheme is scheduled to commission during FY29 (between April 2028 and March 2029). The overall project outlay would be around Rs.881 crore, comprising Rs.300 crore for the first phase and Rs.581 crore for the second.
It may be mentioned that all transmission projects in Maharashtra costing above the threshold limit of Rs.200 crore are to be implemented under the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) route, as per recent orders of Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC). However, as the scheme under discussion involves upgrade of assets owned by TPC-T, and as such is not a greenfield project, MTC recommended that TPC-T implement the project under the RTM framework
Rationale
Transmission lines on the existing 110kV Bhivpuri-Ambernath-Kalyan corridor currently have capacity of 125 MVA, and the present peak load is about 70 MVA. However, proposed loading on these lines – such as 86 MVA for Badlapur receiving substation (RSS), 50 MVA for Chikloli traction substation (TSS) of Central Railways and 50 MVA for Gaikwadpada RSS – could potentially take the loading on this corridor to 262 MVA.
Interconnection with ISTS substation
In addition to upgrading the corridor to 220kV level, there is a proposal to interconnect this corridor, at Bhivpuri, to the 400/220kV South Kalamb substation that is coming up as part of the interstate transmission system (ISTS) network. This will help evacuate bulk power into the Mumbai transmission network.
Coordination with CTU
MTC has directed Maharashtra State Transmission Utility (STU) to coordinate with Central Transmission Utility of India Ltd (CTUIL) for creation of 220kV level at South Kalamb and coordinate the interconnection of the Bhivpuri-Ambernath-Kalyan corridor.
Complementing works
MTC has already approved upgrade of the Kalwa-Kalyan corridor of TPC-T, and its interconnection to South Kalamb. Besides, MTC is evaluating a proposal of similarly upgrading and interconnecting the Apta-Khopoli-Chinchwad corridor. These two projects will complement the Bhivpuri-Ambernath-Kalyan corridor upgrade and further improve bulk power availability to the Mumbai transmission network.
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