PowerGrid commissions record `30,300 crore projects in 2015-16

The Power Grid Corporation of India (PowerGrid) has commissioned a record Rs 30,300 crore projects in the just-concluded fiscal and also achieved a planned capex of Rs 22,500 crore. "PowerGrid, a Navratna company under the Ministry of Power, commissioned transmission projects worth Rs 30,300 crore (unaudited) during 2015-16, which is the highest-ever commissioning achieved by the company in its history," an official statement from the Ministry of Power on Tuesday said.

The company achieved the planned capex of Rs 22,500 crore (provisional), it said, adding that Power Minister Piyush Goyal congratulated PowerGrid on its performance. The highlights of the year include establishment of two new international inter-connections -- one with Nepal and the other with Bangladesh. The inter-connection with Nepal -- Muzaffarpur (Bihar, India) - Dhalkebar (Nepal) transmission line -- was jointly dedicated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Nepal, KP Sharma Oli via tele-inauguration during the latter's visit to India in February 2016.

The second inter-connection with Bangladesh -- Surjyamaninagar (Tripura, India) - Comilla (Bangladesh) transmission line -- was jointly dedicated by Modi and Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina through video-conferencing.

"During 2015-16, tenders for transmission projects worth more than Rs 50,000 crore were released, setting a new benchmark for highest-ever tenders in a single year by the company," the statement said.