NERPSIP: The Centre approved the project at an estimated cost of Rs 6,700 crore
North Eastern Region Power System Improvement Project (NERPSIP): In a significant step towards the economic development of the northeast region, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the revised cost estimate of the North Eastern Region Power System Improvement Project (NERPSIP) at an estimated cost of Rs 6,700 crore. The power project will strengthen intra-state transmission and distribution systems of the region. According to an official statement by the Cabinet, the implementation of the project will create a reliable power grid and improve the northeastern states’ connectivity to the upcoming load centers. This will extend the benefits of the grid-connected power to all beneficiaries in the northeastern region.
North Eastern Region Power System Improvement Project (NERPSIP) – Top Facts:
- The project is being implemented through POWERGRID, a public sector undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Power in association with the six northeastern states namely, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura.
- After commissioning, the project will be owned and maintained by the northeastern state utilities.
- The project will also increase the per capita power consumption of the states, and will contribute to the economic development of the northeastern region.
- The implementing agencies are hiring local manpower during their construction works, generating employment for skilled and unskilled manpower in the northeast.
- After completion, additional manpower will be required for the operation and maintenance of the newly created assets as per standard norms, generating additional employment opportunities for the states.
- The project is targeted to be commissioned by the month of December next year.
In December 2014, the power project was initially approved as a central sector plan scheme of the Power Ministry and partially funded by the World Bank. The government will cover the capacity building component for an additional amount of Rs 89 crore.
