Power substation project in Aravallis hangs fire

Strap: 5 YRS ON: Nod from Forest Dept awaited

Bijendra Ahlawat

Tribune News Service

Faridabad, February 17

The construction of a 66-KV power substation in the Surajkund area of Aravalli hills here has been hanging fire for more than five years. Reason: the project, costing about Rs 30 crore, is awaiting a nod from the Forest Department.

“Launched by Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Limited (HVPN) in 2015, the Municipal Corporation (MC) had in 2018 allotted one hectare for the project on the main Surajkund road. The final clearance from the Forest Department has been pending for two and a half years. As a result, the construction is stuck,” said department officials.

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had in June 2015 had announced the project at a public meeting held here.

An HVPN official said, “The project land is located in the region that comes under the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA). Every construction in this region requires an NOC from the Forest Department.”

The project was to improve the power supply in more than 30 residential and commercial areas inhabited by three lakh people. The localities which were to be benefitted by the proposed substation included Sectors 21, 45 and 46, Greenfields Colony, Dayalbagh, Charmswood Enclave, Eros Garden, Green Valley, Mewla Maharajpur, Lakkadpur village, Khori and Gurukul Basti and other establishments, including hotels.

The region faces overloading and tripping due to increased demand.

ML Garg, Executive Engineer, HVPN, said: “The Power Department is yet to receive the no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Forest Department for the sub-station. The construction is expected to start soon as the sanctioning process is at the last stage.”

OFFICIALTAKE

The Power Department is yet to receive the no-objection certificate from the Forest Department for the sub-station. The construction is expected to start soon as the sanctioning process is at the last stage.

ML Garg, executive engineer, hvpn