Delay in machine repair: Fix responsibility, compensate for ₹100-cr loss, BBMB tells PSPCL

The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has urged the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) to fix responsibility for the delay in overhauling of a 157MW power generation unit that caused a loss to the tune of ₹100 crore

The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has urged the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) to fix responsibility for the delay in overhauling of a 157MW power generation unit that caused a loss to the tune of ₹100 crore.

Bhakra Dam (HT FIle)

In a communication to the PSPCL chairman-cum-managing director A Venu Prasad, BBMB’s financial adviser-cum-chief accounts officer Rajinder Kumar said a power-generating machine was handed over to private firm Gogoal Hydro Private Limited in October 2020, and as per the contract, the overhauling was to be completed by March 2021.

“However, the machine of unit 7 has not been handed back to BBMB, leading to generation loss of ₹100 crore at a rate of ₹66 lakh per day. The happened during the peak load in the wake of paddy sowing season. The loss has to be borne by the PSPCL and other partner states,” Kumar wrote.

Prasad, however, said he was not aware of any such communication.

“I am writing to PSPCL because it’s a major partner of the BBMB and such lapses cause maximum loss to the state (Punjab),” reads the communication.

It is learnt that the BBMB management has been conveyed that the machine is beyond repair and a new will cost ₹25 crore. Kumar suggested that the losses should be recovered from the officers responsible and the private firm undertaking the work.

The Bhakra dam has 10 power generation units. With another unit also under repair, only eight are functional at present.