The Transmission Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (APTransco) has decided to opt for public private partnership (PPP) mode for taking up at least some of its future projects.
The corporation is actively engaged in evolving appropriate guidelines for the PPP mode projects and it would soon seek the permission of the State government to shift to the PPP mode.
The PPP mode is hitherto confined to infrastructure development projects like roads and other amenities, but the APTransco is actively contemplating adopting the mode to ensure timely completion of its projects.
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According to senior officials, the corporation has been faced with a series of bottlenecks in taking up projects like laying of 400 kV lines and setting up of new sub-stations. These projects are often faced with cost overruns primarily due to delays which have become inevitable owing to mandatory procedures that should be followed from the conceptualisation stage. “Introduction of the PPP mode will certainly provide relief to the corporation as the developing party will look after everything, right from mobilisation of funds required,” a senior official told The Hindu . “The corporation will take care of its transmission and distribution business once the projects are handed over,” the official said.
APTransco CMD K. Vijayanand said the focus initially was likely to be on short gestation projects. The corporation contemplated introduction of the PPP mode as there was provision to this effect in the Power For All agreement signed with the Centre.
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