Simplifying planning and implementation of power transmission projects

The transmission line route and substation site must be finalised depending on current conditions during the implementation stage

With an increased emphasis on improving our energy infrastructure, the government has drafted the GatiShakti-National Master Plan (NMP). This aims to strengthen infrastructure development by October 2021, to bring different ministries/ utilities and infrastructure planning under a single unified vision across all sectors, such as Highways, Railways, Aviation, Gas, Power Transmission, Renewable Energy, and so on

It would be a game changer in providing multi-modal infrastructure connectivity to various economic zones by leveraging technology extensively, including spatial planning tools with indigenous ISRO imagery developed by BISAG-N, Gujarat, thus fulfilling the goal of “Atmanirbhar Bharat.” This unprecedented initiative lays out the vision for infrastructure development throughout the country, including “power” in general and “transmission” in particular, which strengthens the country’s energy lifeline.

Power is essential to implementing infrastructure, and the economy as a country works to strengthen its infrastructure. The PM GatiShakti NMP portal provides “Ona e-click Comprehensive view” to guide and simplify the planning and implementation process by reducing the time and cost of implementation in power transmission projects. It would also help to improve logistics efficiency by utilising a single digital platform and multi-modal portal.

The planning, solicitation, execution, and approval phases of power transmission projects will be greatly aided by the PM GatiShakti NMP platform. During the planning phase, the user must specify the proposed transmission line’s approximate line length and the substation’s location (or substations). The survey agency will use the site to determine the optimum technological and economic path throughout the tendering/bidding stage. The transmission line route and substation site must be finalised depending on current conditions during the implementation stage. The approval stage is the last step in single window clearance.

The government’s push for “One Sun, One World, One Grid” has set the stage for a robust and trustworthy transmission system to support India’s renewable energy (RE) goals while assisting the worldwide expansion of renewables. Power transmission has been a crucial facilitator in the RE tale, and several essential power projects facilitate RE evacuation across the nation. The Ministry of Power has launched nine high-impact power projects (10 transmission lines) that cover six states with abundant renewable energy sources: Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. The necessary project information has been mapped in the portal by adding a distinct layer of ISTS transmission lines that includes the basic information (like line route, tower location, location of substation, name of the owner, etc.).

Whole “existing” Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) lines have been mapped on the portal, covering the length and breadth of the nation, in keeping with PM GatiShakti’s objectives. Additionally, 90 per cent of “under construction” ISTS lines have been integrated into the portal. The final per cent will be integrated after the completion of the route surveys by the appropriate Transmission Service Providers.

The PM GatiShakti NMP portal will ultimately help to solve infrastructure development problems in the country by constructing a secure, sustainable, scalable, and collaborative approach to infrastructure planning for seamless connectivity to economic zones. With PM GatiShakti’s NMP portal and the beginning of a more holistic and comprehensive approach to planning for Ministries, Utilities, and Infrastructure, we as a nation are well positioned to take a giant step toward evolving into a five trillion-dollar economy while enabling dependable “Power to All.”