The report stated that the planned project is expected to cost approximately $10 billion.
A senior power ministry official told Hindustan Times that the power producer NTPC would be requested to construct the project. “It may do so either through a wholly-owned subsidiary or as joint venture with Iranian government agencies,” he added.
“It is proposed that out of the power generated, 5,000MW may be transmitted to India and balance 1,000MW may be transmitted to Pakistan,” stated the news report, quoting unnamed officials.
R. S. Sharma, chairman of NTPC, informed the newspaper that: “We have held initial discussions on the project and are now waiting for the power ministry’s advise on the matter.”
Power Grid, a power transmission firm, would be responsible for working out the financial and technical details for setting up a project, revealed the paper.
S K Chaturvedi, Chairman of Power Grid, told the newspaper that: “We have already worked out two alternatives. One is the 1,500 km land route from Iran via Pakistan to Gujarat which will cost up to 200 billion rupees. And the other route is the 1,000 km sub-sea route, avoiding Pakistan. However, the sub-sea route is uneconomical and will cost almost double.”
Chaturvedi informed Reuters that Power Grid has filed a proposal on feasibility study with the power ministry.
