Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Cabinet has approved a proposal to lease up to 200 acres of government land to the Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Ltd. (OPTCL) at concessional premium rates for setting up 765 kV grid substations, a move aimed at strengthening the state’s power transmission infrastructure.
The decision fills a policy gap as the existing government guidelines, issued in 2013, provided concessional land only for 132 kV, 220 kV and 400 kV grid substations, with no provision for the higher-capacity 765 kV facilities.
Under the approved policy, OPTCL will be eligible for lease of up to 200 acres of suitable government land for each 765 kV grid substation at the concessional premium prescribed under the applicable Industrial Policy Resolutions (IPRs), subject to availability and suitability of land.
The Cabinet approved the proposal following recommendations from the Industries Department and proposals submitted by the Energy Department and OPTCL in view of the state’s growing electricity demand and the need to expand transmission infrastructure.While the premium for land will be charged at concessional IPR rates, OPTCL will continue to pay all other applicable charges, including incidental charges, annual ground rent and cess, which will be assessed on the prevailing market value of the land.
According to the government, the decision is expected to facilitate the timely establishment of 765 kV grid substations and enhance the state’s power transmission capacity to meet rising electricity demand.
