Bhubaneswar: Odisha Cabinet led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday approved a proposal of additional financial requirement of Rs. 469.39 crore in respect of the scheme State Capital Region Improvement in Power System (SCRIPS) under CMPDP to be implemented by OPTCL by FY 2024-25 for expansion of existing transmission and distribution infrastructure in the State Capital region.
In order to meet the increasing power demand and to ensure quality and reliable power supply to the consumers, the Cabinet had approved the scheme SCRIPS in 2015-16 with an approved outlay of Rs. 1492.07 crore.
The scope of work under the scheme includes the construction of Grid and primary sub-station with GIS technology, laying of UG Cabling and other state-of-the-art features such as SCADA, Smart Grid etc. At present, some of the projects under the scheme have been completed and some are under implementation.
However, in line with the current power demand scenario of the capital region, the scope of the scheme has been changed with de-scoping/ addition of some of the projects which have led to the revision of the estimated project cost to Rs 1961.46 crore with an additional financial requirement of Rs. 469.39 crore. Further inclusion of additional projects has necessitated an extension of the project implementation period till FY 2024-25.
The projects under SCRIPS will be executed under the umbrella scheme Chief Minister’s Power Development Programme (CMPDP) meant for the development of the power infrastructure of the State. The projects will not only meet the power demand of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar and its adjoining localities but also will facilitate the growth of IT & ITeS and other power-intensive industries in the region making it as a global hub for trade and commerce.