PGCIL commissions Kathalguri–Namsai line

Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) has commissioned the Kathalguri (NEEPCO)–Namsai (POWERGRID) 220 kV double-circuit transmission line. The line is part of the System Strengthening Scheme for Eastern and North Eastern Regions and spans across Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.

The project is being executed under two schemes:

1. Eastern Region Strengthening Scheme-XXV (ERSS-XXV)
   Implemented at Banka in Bihar, this involves:

• Creation of a 220 kV GIS bus at Banka (POWERGRID) substation
  
  
• Extension of 400 kV bus at the same location
  
  
• Installation of two 400/220 kV, 500 MVA interconnecting transformers (ICTs)
  
  
• Addition of GIS and AIS bays for the transformers
  
  
• Two 220 kV GIS line bays for connecting the Banka–Goradih 220 kV double-circuit line by BSPTCL
  
  

1. North Eastern Region Strengthening Scheme-XV (NERSS-XV)
   In the northeast, this covers:

• Upgradation of the existing 132 kV Namsai substation to 220 kV with GIS configuration
  
  
• Commissioning of the Kathalguri–Namsai 220 kV line
  
  
• Addition of two GIS line bays at the Kathalguri switchyard for termination of the new line
  
  

The Ministry of Power (MoP) had notified REC Power Development and Consultancy Limited (REC PDCL) as the bid process coordinator (BPC) for this project on July 19, 2021.

According to Power Peak Digest sources, the upgradation of Namsai substation includes two 160 MVA interconnecting transformers (ICT-1 and ICT-2), both of which were charged on no load in April 2025. Full commissioning will follow once the connecting lines are energized.