Transco contractors told to rush works

HYDERABAD: With summer at its peak and the rains due in the first week of June, APTransco on Monday asked all its contractors to speed up construction of transmission lines and substations in order to meet their schedules. Reviewing the progress of the construction of extra high-tension (EHT) substations and lines in a teleconference at Vidyut Soudha, AP Transco chairman and managing director Hiralal Samariya spelt out to contractors that he would not accept any deviation from the terms of the tender agreements, and errant agencies would be hit with hefty penalties.“Some agencies are handing over major works to subcontractors, which is delaying the projects,” he said. “We’ve made huge investments in the transmission and distribution network. We must make rupee count.” The demand for power has been increasing at the rate of about 10 per cent year on year, Transco boss said. Therefore, completion of transmission lines and substations was his priority.