After the inauguration of second unit of the 726 MW gas-based thermal power project by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Palatana in Gomati district on Monday, another power plant at Monarchak in Sipahijala district of Tripura would start generation in January.
"I had a detailed discussion with ONGC officials on the sidelines of the inauguration of the second unit of the Palatana project who assured of supplying natural gas to Monarchak plant by the first week of January," State Power Minister Manik Dey said.
ONGC Chairman D K Saraf and Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural gas Dharmendra Pradhan were also present in the inaugural function of Palatana project.
The North East Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) has completed all works of commissioning the 104 MW gas based thermal power project at Monarchak, about 50 km from here. The entire power generated from the project would be utilised in the state.
"NEEPCO were saying for over three months that the Manarchak project was ready for testing but waiting for the ONGC for hydrocarbon charging," Dey said.
Dey said that the ONGC had informed him that the Corporation was waiting for a special piece of equipment that would cable the underground gas pipeline travelling under rivers and other water bodies to Manarchak project site from the ONGC station.
"They told me that the equipment is expected to arrive by December 15 and they would be able to supply gas to Manarchak project by December 31 this year", Power Minster said adding that the much delayed Manarchak project is expected to start generation latest by January 7, 2015, even if ONGC failed to meet its deadline in December.
