The Committee of Directors on Investment on Projects of Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL), in its meeting held on May 1, 2025, approved investment of Rs.964.44 crore on three interstate transmission system (ISTS) schemes to be developed under the regulated tariff mechanism (RTM) framework.
Here are the basic details of the three projects:
Scheme: Transmission system strengthening to facilitate evacuation of power from Bhadla/Bikaner Complex
Estimated cost: Rs.212.81 crore
Gestation period: 18 months
Scheduled date of completion: June 9, 2026
Scheme: Eastern Region Expansion Scheme—43 (ERES-43)
Estimated cost: Rs.342.69 crore
Gestation period: 18 months
Scheduled date of completion: March 1, 2026
Scheme: Eastern Region Expansion Scheme—44 (ERES-44)
Estimated cost: Rs.408.94 crore
Gestation period: 18 months
Scheduled date of completion: May 24, 2026
It may be noted that Scheme #2 and #3 in the above list is to be completed in 15 months on “best effort” basis.
These schemes were earlier approved by National Committee on Transmission (NCT) and the gestation period indicated is measured from the date of such approval of the respective scheme.
From TBCB to RTM
The first scheme in the list above, “Transmission system strengthening to facilitate evacuation of power from Bhadla/Bikaner Complex,” was earlier planned to be developed under the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) framework. Bid process coordinator PFC Consulting Ltd (PFCCL) had incorporated the project SPV “Bhadla and Bikaner Complex Transmission Ltd” and had even begun the bidder selection process. However, despite multiple extensions in the bid-submission date, there was only one bidder – PGCIL – in the fray. NCT, in its meeting held in November 2024, decided to implement this Rajasthan-centric project under the RTM route, with PGCIL as the implementing agency.
ERES-43 & ERES-44
ERES-43 mainly involves reconductoring of around 330 ckm of 400kV double-circuit (Twin Moose) lines with Twin HTLS conductor. These lines are associated with evacuation systems of NTPC’s power generation stations in eastern India – Kahalgaon (Bihar), Farraka (West Bengal) and Talcher (Odisha).
ERES-44 aims to reconductor eight 220kV double-circuit lines with HTLS conductor. These lines, aggregating 786 ckm, mainly include lines interconnecting PGCIL’s substations in West Bengal, such as Birpara, Binaguri,Siliguri, Kishanganj, etc. Other lines represent the ISTS portion of lines connecting PGCIL’s substations to those of West Bengal State Electricity Transmission Corporation Ltd (WBSETCL), such as Falakata and Gazole. Upgrade of associated 220kV bay equipment at six PGCIL substations also forms part of the project.
Also read: PGCIL starts commercial operations on Raipur Pool Dhamtari TBCB project
Featured photograph is for representation only
