February 6, 2013

Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company (Mahatransco) has announced that the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) of India has cleared its project to upgrade the Mumbai’s main power transmission network.

The approval will help Mahatransco to continue the construction of a 130km line, which was stopped by the MoEF on 8 February 2012, as the line was passing through forest areas such as the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary and other eco-sensitive areas. The approval will also help the board to upgrade the 49 year old transmission network.

The new upgrade will provide an additional 1200MW of power to the city from various sources through three upgraded lines, which include Kharghar-Kalva, Kalva-Borivli and Borivli-Boisar.

The project is expected to be completed by mid 2013 at the cost of INR 572 crore (USD 107.5 million).

Mahatransco’s chairman and managing director Arvind Singh said the demand for power is expected to grow from the existing 2800-3300MW to 4200-4500MW by 2015-16.

“The new line will help all four distribution companies in the city,” Singh added.