Can APDCL Meet Deadline?

GUWAHATI: The Centre might have given its approval to the launch of IPDS (Integrated Power Development Scheme) with the best of intentions, but the scheme may turn into one spending of money for nothing in Assam due to the slow pace of its implementation by the APDCL.

As on November 23, 2018 only 26 per cent of work under the programme was completed in 88 towns in the State. The situation is grim as the programme has to be completed within its stipulated time – March 31, 2019. Can APDCL (Assam Power Distribution Company Limited) complete the programme within this stipulated time?

IPDS was launched in 2017 in Assam with a view to strengthening of sub-transmission and distribution network in the urban areas; metering of distribution transformers /feeders / consumers in the urban areas and IT enablement of distribution sector and strengthening of distribution network. The time stipulation is that the projects shall be completed within 24 months from the date of award. And in Assam it has to be completed by March 2019.

The grant total approval cost of IPDS in Assam is Rs 717.46 crore. Till November this year, the Centre released Rs 152.83 crore. The progress of work of the programme, on the other hand, is just 26 per cent till November 23 this year.

Not satisfied with the pace of work, the IPDS executive director had to ask APDCL to regularly review the progress of IPDS so that the work could be given the right impetus. “…the Ministry of Power had sanctioned system strengthening project in 19 circles of Assam DISCOM under IPDS. In accordance with direction of the Minister of Power, system strengthening works in these circles are to be completed by March 2019... you are requested to regularly review the progress of IPDS at your level so that work could be given the right impetus…,” the letter from IPDS reads.

Talking to this reporter, an APDCL official said: “Even as we got the approval of IPDS in March 2017, the work was actually started in September in that year. The pace of work slowed down in the rainy season, but now the work is underway in full swing.”

On the release of only Rs 152.83 crore by the Centre, the official said: “Release of funds depends on the progress of work. It’s a continuous process. We hope to meet the deadline of March 31, 2018.”

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