- (1.) THE application is made for approval of provisional transmission charges for 400 kV D/C Muzaffarpur-Gorakhpur transmission line (the transmission line) forming part of the transmission system associated with Tala Hydro Electric Power, East-North inter- connector and Northern Region transmission system (the transmission system).
(2.) The administrative approval and expenditure sanction for the transmission system was accorded by the Ministry of Power under letter dated 2.7.2003 at an estimated cost of Rs. 198070 lakh, which included IDC of Rs. 21792 lakh. Subsequently, the revised cost estimate for the transmission system was approved by Ministry of Power under letter dated 29.9.2005 at Rs. 248388 lakh, including IDC of Rs. 14744 lakh, with debt-equity ratio of 70:30. The transmission system is to be implemented by Power Grid and the petitioner, a joint venture company. The details of revised approved cost are given hereunder: (a) Power Grid portion: Rs. 87210 lakh (including IDC of Rs. 2574 lakh) (b) Joint Venture portion: Rs. 161178 lakh (including IDC of Rs. 12170 lakh). The transmission line was to be completed by July 2006, but has been declared under commercial operation w.e.f. 1.9.2006. The petitioner has explained that the delay in completion was due to Panchayat election in Bihar during April-May 2006 and one fire incident on the site on 29.4.2006 which adversely affected the progress of site work and mobilization of men, material as well as T & P and labour injury. The petitioner has submitted that the reasons for delay were beyond its control. At this stage, we are considering the provisional tariff for the transmission assets. Therefore, the justifications or otherwise for delay will be considered by the Commission at the time of approval of final tariff.
(3.) THE estimated completion cost of the transmission line is stated to be Rs. 44147.00 lakh. THE actual expenditure up to the date of commercial operation, that is, 1.9.2006 was Rs. 38834.37 lakh as per the Chartered Accountant's certificate dated 11.10.2006 placed on record by the petitioner and the balance estimated expenditure is stated to be Rs. 5312.63 lakh. THE provisional transmission charges claimed by the petitioner (inclusive of insurance reserve and licence fee) are given hereunder: JUDGEMENT_253_TLET0_20070.htm ;