In the
year 632 CE, a learned Chinese monk made a journey by land from China
to India, in search of the original Buddhist scriptures and
teachings. His name was Xuan Zang and he had believed that true
Buddhist religion was being practiced only in India. Every one knows
about his travels, yet very few understand that Xuan Zang's
travelogues are perhaps our only guide books about the political,
social-religious and geographical conditions of this region in those
times. Xuen Zang left the Chinese mainland by the northern silk
route, passing through Turfan, Karashahr and Aksu to reach Central
Asia. From there, he travelled to the cities of Tashkent and
Samarkand, from where he crossed into Afghanistan to reach the city
of Kunduz. From here, his next destination was the city of Kapisa.
However between these two cities, stood a formidable obstacle in the
form a mountain ridge known as Siah Koh or Black Ridge. This mountain
ridge, equally formidable even today, is known as Hindukush.
There
were only two known passes by which Xuen Zang could cross over to the
other side of the black ridge. The first pass on the eastern side is
known today as Shibar Pass. However, route through Shibar pass is
known to be longer and the shorter route is through another pass
known as Salang Pass. Xuen Zang had used Shiber pass on his onwards
journey to India and years later, while on return journey used the
Salang pass. The difficulties and hardships suffered by Xuen Zang in
crossing the shorter Salang pass are present even today and are
equally painful for the travellers of today, even when there is a
motorable road and a tunnel under the pass.
The
Salang Pass poses formidable challenges because of its steep slopes
and extreme climatic conditions. The area gets covered with 1-4 meter
deep snow in winter with temperatures plummeting to as low as 30 deg.
Celsius. The inclement weather conditions are frequently marked by
avalanches,heavy winds and snow blizzards. However, for each and
every entity, that includes humans, animals, goods, machinery, fuels
and even electrical energy, that needs to be moved from north to
south in Afghanistan, crossing the Salang pass is a must.
Afghanistan
is one of the least developed countries of the world with three
decades of war having wiped out most of the country's
infrastructure. When the war with Taliban was finally over, it was
realised that the power scenario of the country was particularly
bleak and even for the four million citizens of country's capital
Kabul, electricity was a luxury. It used to get only three hours of
electricity on every alternate day.
Afghanistan's
President Hamid Karzai first came up with a request for India to see
if surplus electrical power available at the generating stations in
Uzbekistan, can be brought to Kabul by building a transmission line.
After giving due consideration, India's federal cabinet gave green
signal to set up a 220 KV DC transmission line from Tirmiz via
Pul-e-Khumri to Kabul and an electric sub station at Kabul at a cost
of 4.7872 Billion Rupees. After finalisation of the power-purchase
agreement between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, a 462-km transmission
line was proposed from the Uzbek border to Kabul. Subsequently on
August 12, 2005, a pact was signed between the ministry of external
affairs, government of India, and Power Grid Corporation, a public
sector undertaking of the Government , for construction of the 220-kV
Pul-e-Khumri-Kabul transmission line and Chimtala sub-station at
Kabul. The major components of the project were: 202km 220-kV DC
Pul-e-Khumri-Kabul line, 220/110/20-kV Chimtala sub-station,
Construction of township at Kabul, and training of Afghan electricity
department personnel.
Considering
the looming threat of terrorism in the area and the presence of some
of the most arduous terrain on earth, it was obvious that execution
of the project involved significant challenges and risks. As an
example of the challenges faced, it was found out even before the
first tower could get erected that the transmission line route was
infested with landmines planted by the multitude of warring forces
fighting for control of the country. The geographical challenges were
of no less significance. The line was to traverse through mountainous
terrain with altitudes ranging from 1,800 meters above sea level at
Kabul to more than 4,000 metere above sea level at Salang Pass.
Nevertheless, despite the odds,the project was completed within cost
and time deadlines.
Transmission line crosses Salang Pass
The transmission line is supported by 613 towers
and passes through a heavy snow zone. The towers were built under
harsh weather and daunting logistical challenges in difficult
terrain. I quote from the press report released by the company in
2009.
“The
Pul-e-Khumri to Kabul transmission line was energised on January
20,2009, and the power flow commenced immediately. Afghanistan
President Hameed Karzai inaugurated the Chimtala sub-station on May
18,2009,in the presence of senior officials of the Indian and
Afghanistan governments. The transmission corridor has ushered a
qualitative change in the lives of Afghan citizens. Today,Kabul
residents enjoy uninterrupted electricity supply and are enjoying
economic benefits brought by the improved power situation.”
Chimtala sub station
What
is noteworthy is that this transmission line passes through the
Salang Passs area. To erect the transmission towers in this
inhospitable area, was a highly challenging task but Power Grid
Corporation engineers managed to complete the task. It was a
formidable task by any standards and Power Grid Corporation deserves
kudos for the job.
There
is a saying that nothing breeds success like success. Government of
India has now entrusted the job of erecting a transmission line from
Leh town in ladakh to Srinagar to Power Grid Corporation. It will
cover roughly 450 km through Drass town along the Pakistan border in
Kargil district, and Khaltse in Ladakh. The line would have to be
laid across altitudes of 14,000 ft and has to withstand avalanches,
blizzards and temperature of 30 degrees below freezing for most part
of the year. The line is expected to cost over Rs 1.6 billion and
would be completed in four years because work can proceed for only
3-4 months every year. When completed, it would provide Leh town,
ample power throughout the year.
7th
August 2014
No comments:
Post a Comment