NTPC’s 3X250 MW thermal power project in Bongaigaon district of Assam is in a mess and Central power PSU cannot do much about it. NTPC has been complaining about the poor performance of private contractors, SPML and Punj Lloyd, and had blamed them for the delay in completing the project. NTPC has now cancelled both the contracts citing poor performance by them as the reasons. SMPL had bagged the order for execution of main plant, CW & offsite civil works package for the project for Rs. 329 crore in April 2008. On the other hand, Punj Lloyd had won Rs 210 crore order from NTPC in 2011 for underground and over ground civil, architectural and structural work for the main plant etc and construction of the administration building and auditorium. According to private contractors heavy rainfall during the monsoon season, acute problem of Bodoland agitation, frequent bandhs, local disturbances and threats to agencies` workers are the main reasons for poor performance.
Even after cancelling both the contracts, problems don’t seem to end for state-run NTPC, as none of the private contractors are willing to take up the job due to poor law and order prevailing in the state. With no other options left, NTPC has decided d to award the contract for the balance works for main plant and offsite civil works for Unit-I to Assam Public Work Department. For balance work of Unit-2 & 3, cost estimate of civil work is under vetting and the contract is proposed to be awarded to be by August 2014.
