NCT sets standard timelines for ISTS project execution
The National Committee on Transmission (NCT) has approved a standardised implementation schedule for all future Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) projects, aiming to improve execution certainty and align transmission readiness with renewable energy commissioning.
As recorded in the minutes of the 40th NCT meeting, the approved timelines range from 24 months for 220 kV or 132 kV substations to 48–54 months for High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) systems. The framework is intended to provide a consistent benchmark for planning and delivery across transmission projects.
The decision follows an analysis by the Central Transmission Utility of India Limited (CTUIL), which found that nearly 85% of delayed ISTS projects, 56 out of 63 cases, could have been completed on time if an additional 12–18 months had been factored in during planning. The key causes of delay were identified as right-of-way constraints, forest clearances, and land acquisition challenges.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) had requested the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) to define realistic timelines based on historical execution data and terrain conditions. In response, the NCT approved an additional 6–12 months for projects located in difficult terrains, including the North Eastern Region, Sikkim, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), Ladakh, and Himachal Pradesh, as well as for transmission lines passing through metro cities and industrial zones.
The committee also clarified that for schemes involving multiple transmission elements, the qualifying implementation timeline will be based on the component with the longest duration.
The approved timeline matrix will apply to all future ISTS schemes, establishing a uniform reference point for developers and transmission service providers.
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