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5th National Conference on Innovations & Best Practices in Design, Construction, O&M and
Environmental Considerations for EHV & UHV Transmission Lines, CIGRE India, 22 23 June 2017

PURSUIT TO EMPOWER THE NORTH EAST INDIA BY INNOVATIVELY ADDRESSING THE


TOUGHEST CHALLENGES OF ENERGY DELIVERY

Dr. Deepak Lakhapati, Anil Rawal, Ankit Jain, Kuldip Suri


STERLITE POWER TRANSMISSION LTD, NEW DELHI

Introduction - North East, popularly known as Seven LILO of single circuit of Biswanath Chariyali at
Sisters is blessed with natural resources, rich bio- Gohpur Sub-Station 9kms (Exhibit 2)
diversity and glorious cultural heritage. However due to Silchar (PG) Misa (PG) 400kV D/C (Quad Moose)
inhospitable physical conditions, this North-Eastern part transmission line 192kms (Exhibit 3)
of the India has been largely untouched and unexplored. Surajmaninagar to P. K. Bari 400 kV D/C Twin
Harnessing the immense untapped hydropower in this Moose transmission line 100kms (Exhibit 4)
region offers an opportunity to improve the well-being of AGTPP (NEEPCO) P.K. Bari (TSECL) 132 kV D/C
the people and empower them in the region, while (HTLS) transmission line 97kms (Exhibit 4)
making substantial contribution to the national economy.
2 nos. of 132kV line bays extension at Itanagar S/s
One of the key reasons of untapped hydro potential in
Establishment of 400/132kV, 2x315 MVA S/s at
North East has been the lack of grid development in the
Surajmaninagar
region leading to subdued export of clean power to other
load centers across the country. To harness the potential Establishment of 400/132kV, 2x315 MVA S/s at P.K.
a comprehensive scheme for strengthening of Bari
transmission and distribution system in NER & Sikkim 2 nos. of 132kV line bays extension at AGTPP
was conceived as a consequence of Pasighat (NEEPCO) Switchyard
proclamation in 2007. The Pasighat proclamation 2 nos. of 132kV line bays extension at P.K. Bari S/s
targeted energy delivery from clean hydro sources of (TSECL)
North East through a robust evacuation system, a
mammoth and challenging task by all measures. Sterlite
Power, Indias largest Private Developer of Independent
Transmission systems, took up the challenge by securing
an Interstate Transmission Project through competitive
bidding route in 2017, to build a strong interconnection
between Northern and Southern part of North Eastern
Region.
Bids were invited for the project by Rural
Electrification Corporation for selection of Transmission
Service Provider to establish transmission system for
NER System Strengthening Scheme II (Part-B) and V,
(NER II B & V) on Build, Own, and Operate and
maintain basis. Sterlite Grid secured this project. The
project has various transmission line elements including
voltage levels starting from 132kV to 400 kV and various
substations elements.
This paper intends to present the pursuit of
addressing toughest challenges of energy delivery, the
purpose enshrined at the core of Sterlite Power. The Exhibit No. 1 : Project Map
challenge is of harnessing the energy and to deliver
reliably where it is needed before schedule. Sterlite
targets to compress the project schedule by half
deploying state of the art technology, innovative
solutions, immaculate project management skills and
above all the passion to accept and accomplish the
undoable projects, while conserving biodiversity, cultural
heritage and rich forest cover in this region.

A. NER IIB & V PROJECT DETAILS

The Project consists of following 400kV & 132kV


transmission lines and Sub-stations in Assam and
Tripura (Exhibit 1):
Biswanath Chariyali to Itanagar 132kV D/C (Zebra) Exhibit No. 2 : Biswanath Chariyali to Itanagar 132kV
transmission line 69kms (Exhibit 2) D/C + 132kV Lilo
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sufficient food and medical supplies, adequate


security and safety to sustain long periods of
inclement weather conditions. The use of correct
proportions of plasticizer (retarding additives) into
concrete for a timely aerial transport of concrete
from batching plants to the tower locations are the
main concern of this unique mode of construction
practice.
Construction of transmission lines across
mountainous terrain and swamps requires delicate
handling of equipment and properly managed
logistics to minimize damages to the environment.
Exhibit No. 3 : Silchar (PG) Misa (PG) 400kV D/C
Unpredictable weather and less working window
The project spans across Tripura and Assam.
Assams weather is characterized by its extreme
humidity. Its most distinguishing feature is the
abundant rainfall between March and May at a time
when rain in upper India is at its minimum. The
year in Assam can be divided into the cold season
and the rainy season. The cold weather lasts from
October to February and the rest of the year is rainy.
Hence the working season in state of Assam is only
from October to February (5 months).
Tripura has a typical monsoonal climate with
differences ranging from sub-tropical to temperate
Exhibit No. 4 : Surajmaninagar to P. K. Bari 400 kV D/C
+ AGTPP P.K. Bari 132 kV D/C conditions in hilly areas. The rapid change in
topography results in significant climate changes
within a short time. The climate of Tripura displays
B. CONSTRUCTION CHALLENGES a strong seasonal rhythm. The year being divisible
to four characteristic seasons namely winter (Dec -
Transmission line route spans cross-country, from Feb), pre-monsoon (March - April), monsoon (May -
densely populated urban areas to suburban country side September) and Post monsoon (Oct - Nov). The
and remote virgin forest in undulated and hilly terrain. Monsoon period lasts for about 5 months from May
The major issues that confront us from the smooth to September, which is the longest season of the
implementations of transmission lines and the challenges state. June is the wettest month followed by July &
facing for a sustainable construction and planned project May. Temperature varies between 10 to 35 Degree
management scheduling can be summarized into the Celsius; Average Annual Rain Fall 2100 mm,
following subject matters:
Highest Rain Fall 2855 mm (Kamalpur); Lowest
Sustainability of rentice In India, land matters are Rain Fall 1811 mm (Sonamura). Hence the working
under the authority and jurisdiction of state season in state of Tripura is from November to
governments. For a transmission line rentice, March (5 months).
compensation is given to the individual or
commercial landowners on the basis of a right-of-
way. Ownership of the land is still with the
respective owners. Delays to transmission line
project occurs when property owners cannot be
located, deceased with unsettled transfer of
ownership, land under lease or sublease, and delays
by small industries on dismantling and re-location
of the premises affected.
Logistics and supplies The movement of heavy
equipment on rugged terrain is a major challenge.
For a long stretch of transmission route traversing
across mountainous areas which requires the use of
both land and helicopter transport, the construction
of temporary base camps at strategic locations, Exhibit No. 5 : Site Photograph
storage yards for materials in transit, and the
provision of batching plants of concrete mixing are Undulated & hilly terrain - The physiography of
essential requirements. Base camps housing the terrain for transmission route is characterized by hill
skilled and general workers are equipped with ranges, valleys and plains. All line transmission lines
are passing thru hills.
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Exhibit No. 6 : Site Photograph

Exhibit No. 8 : Drones for Survey

Use of 132kV D/C Monopoles Monopoles are hot


dip galvanized and used for 11kV to 500kV .
Advantages of steel monopoles:
Less right of way i.e. land occupancy
Better visual appearance
Less components, faster installation, and
less installation cost.
Better reliability under extreme conditions.
Design flexibility
Future maintenance and repairs
Exhibit No. 7 : Site Photograph Safety
Monopoles can be used extensively in hilly terrains
Transmission lines crossing forest area to save land occupancy, avoid cutting of mountains
Transmission line is passing thru approx. 180kms in and to decrease the construction time. (Exhibit No.
forest area. 9)

C. INNOVATIVE ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS

Project demands an initiative to protect nature,


environment, forest, trees, wild life, etc. while
constructing transmission lines by using innovative
engineering solutions. Hence the need to deploy some of
the following solutions to tackle various construction
challenges:
Deploy of drone for survey as an alternate method,
subject to requisite regulatory approvals.
The accuracy of transmission line design majorly
depends on the accuracy of survey. Drone based
aerial survey can replace the conventional methods
of doing survey. With the help of drones 20kms to
30kms route survey can be conducted in one day as
compared to 5kms to 6kms by traditional method.
Drones are very useful in inaccessible hilly terrain Exhibit No. 9: Steel Monopoles
where there are no approach roads.
Drones can be used to compact the project Insulated cross-arm are used at suspension tower
schedule and increase the accuracy of survey. in place of conventional I or V insulators.
(Exhibit No. 8) Advantages of insulated cross arm:
Decrease tower height: Suspension
insulators are left out. Inter layer space
between cross arm is decreased as well as
tower height on the basis of guaranteed
distance between conductor and ground.
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Narrow the corridor : Conductors and


fittings are connected directly, leaving
little space for wind deviation, shortening
projected length of cross-arm as well as
width of corridor.
Reduce land occupation for tower base :
Tower root distance and covering area is
decreased due to the lower tower height
and smaller tower body.
Insulated cross arm can be used in forest areas to
reduce corridor and trees cutting. (Exhibit No. 10) Exhibit No. 12 : Typical Multi-circuit Towers

Exhibit No. 13 : 132kv & 400kV Multi-circuit Tower

Exhibit No. 10 : Insulated Cross-arm Use of helicopters for construction and logistics -
For a long stretch of transmission route traversing
Angle towers without cross-arm Are used when across mountainous areas where there is no
space is not available to provide cross arms due to approach available, the use of helicopter to
electrical clearance requirements hence the vertical transport the tower and construction material can
configuration tower where conductors are attached compact the project schedule.
to tower body directly. Cross arms are provided Heli-crane can also be used for erection of tower
only for jumpers. Such towers can be used in forest structure (Exhibit No. 14). With the help of heli-
to reduce corridor and trees cutting. (Exhibit No. crane three to six towers can be erected in one day
11) (Exhibit No. 15).

Exhibit No. 14: Tower erection using Heli-crane

Exhibit No. 11: Line Diagram & loading tree

400kV & 132kV multi-circuit towers The methods


of carrying many circuits in a single tower rather
than conventional double/single circuit seems to
cater the right of way issues. The multi circuit
towers can carry three, four or even six circuits on a
tower.
The multi circuit tower can be used in this Project
to save the forest area and environment. (Exhibit Exhibit No. 15: Material lifting using Heli-crane
No. 12)
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Use of micro-pile foundations Micro-piles are of North Eastern Region and would also facilitate
smaller diameter piles (200mm-300mm). dispersal of power from central sector/private
Technological advancement has made it feasible to generation projects to various parts of NER through
use micro-piles in smaller areas. Micro-pile has formation of Silchar - Misa - Balipara -
gained popularity and is accepted widely since no Bongaigaon - Azara - Byrnihat - Silchar 400kV ring
noise and low vibration in congested environments network. Further, this line would provide an
(Mumbai high rise building foundations). It is additional path beyond Silchar for evacuation of
being used for housing area, hospitals, schools, etc. power from Pallatana GBPP.
Installation is similar to bored piles (drilling
method). The construction of Surajmaninagar - P.K.Bari 400 kV
Micro-piles can be used extensively for faster D/c line along with 400 kV operation of Palatana -
installation and reducing foot prints in forest areas Surajmaninagar and P.K.Bari - Silchar lines would
(Exhibit No. 16 & 17). provide alternate 400kV corridor viz. Palatana -
Surajmaninagar - P.K.Bari - Silchar in order to
improve reliability of power evacuation from Palatana
generation project.

In addition, the AGTPP P.K.Bari 132kV D/c line


with high capacity HTLS conductor (equivalent to
single moose) was planned for reliable evacuation of
power from AGTPP generation project (4x21+2x25.5)
after addition of 2 units of 25.5 MW capacity.

Pallatana Gas Based Station (726.6 MW) and


Bongaigaon TPS (750 MW) are the set of very
important generation schemes. Transmission system
associated with Pallatana GBPP and Bongaigaon TPS
was evolved in a comprehensive manner. While the
main trunk line for evacuation of power from the
Pallatana project is being implemented by North East
Transmission Company limited (NETC), the
transmission project under discussion provides the
improved reliability of evacuation system from
Exhibit No. 16: How to install Micro-pile Palatana generation project, 400 kV operation of
alternate corridor i.e. Palatana-Surajmaninagar-P. K.
Bari-Silchar and construction of intermediate link i.e.
Surajmaninagar-P. K. Bari 400 kV D/C. This further
adds to the reliable transfer of power to Bangladesh
through both circuits of Palatana-Surajmaninagar line
(about 100 MW being exported). The system would be
N-1 insecure under a single ICT/ line outage.

Exhibit No. 17: Micro-pile for transmission tower

D. RELEVANCE TO THE GRID

The scheme under the project forms the backbone for


system in North East, providing critical power
evacuation system enabling the reliability of power flow
within the region as well as export to Bangladesh
(Exhibit No. 18). 5th Standing Committee on Power
systems for North Eastern Region envisaged the
following system enhancement from the project-
Exhibit No. 18: The System supporting the grid
Implementation of Silchar - Misa 400kV D/c (Quad)
line under the project would provide a strong
interconnection between northern and southern part
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E. SOCIO ECONOMIC RELEVANCE H. BIOGRAPHY

Most of the North Eastern states have majority tribal


populations, having the problem of poor infrastructure,
low production, etc. The problems are rampant across
the supply chain of economy, aggravated by low energy
availability and consumption despite the area being
resource rich.
Any development program in the area would need the
consultation of local, stakeholder involvement,
understanding the local pain points and addressing the
Dr. Deepak Lakhpati, born in India on 2nd June 1953
issues in sync with ethnic requirements. Uniqueness of
is gold medallist in Civil Engineering from Nagpur
the area would require unique solutions towards
University and also holds Masters and doctoral degree in
resolving RoW problems, which can be best done by
Structural Engineering. The Professional experience of
meeting tribal needs and their financial inclusion instead
43 years includes design and engineering of
of paying cash directly to the land owners.
Transmission lines up to 765 kV in various parts of the
world and successfully tested large number of proto type
The system would facilitate the reliable conduit for
towers. He has implemented numerous innovative cost
export of about 100 MW power from North East to
effective solutions in transmission line industry.
Bangladesh and would also bring the strength to inner
He has made large number of presentations at
ring of transmission in North East, ensuring reliable and
various national and international forums.
quality power availability to the North Eastern States.

F. CONCLUSION

Since Pasighat proclamation of 2007, there have been


concerted efforts to bring North East up on the power
map of the country. Some of the efforts have been
successful too. However, this project and its successful
implementation before schedule is going to mark
watershed moment in the pursuit of government
towards the dream of 24x7 power supply in the area.
Sterlite Power is conscious of the sensitivities attached
with the project which include the construction
challenges on one hand and protection of
environmental, forest, biodiversity and cultural
resources along with harmonized approach to be
adopted to conserve the ethnic heritage in the area.

There are several unique construction challenges


including inhospitable weather, poor infrastructure,
logistics issues, connectivity, limited application of
traditional mechanization, treacherous and undulating
terrain, forest and biodiversity issues, constrained time
frame, unpredictable and unexplored soil strata etc. All
this offers the immense challenge which call for
application of unique and innovative technological and
engineering solutions, some of which are in known
domain of engineering and some of which would be
required to be evolved as the construction progresses
and problems unfold. This project is going to be the
testing ground and practical laboratory for testing best
of technological innovations and grey matter application
of digitally astute minds. The result of this pursuit
would be North East would emerge even brighter on
power map of India along with enhanced adequacy and
reliability of power systems in the region.

G. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Sterlite Power is a collective member of Cigre. Single


paper has been prepared by the author supported by the
co-authors. Authors gratefully acknowledge the
encouragement given by management to prepare and
present the paper.

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