The Ministry of Power (MoP) has revised the terms of reference of National Committee on Transmission (NCT) to fast-track planning and approval of inter-state transmission system (ISTS) projects.
Presently, all ISTS projects are approved by the Ministry of Power based on recommendations of NCT. To expedite approval of ISTS, the power to approve ISTS projects costing up to Rs 5 billion have been delegated. Now, the project proposals for expansion of ISTS costing up to Rs 1 billion will be approved by the central transmission utility and the proposals costing between Rs 1 billion and Rs 5 billion will be approved by NCT. The Ministry of Power will approve proposal costing more than Rs 5 billion. The move will fast-track transmission planning and approval process thereby facilitating renewable energy development and integration to the power system.