The ambitious Chorkari power project looks all set to be inaugurated by chief minister Hemant Soren on September 29. Once functional, it will make the state-owned power distribution company Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited(JBVNL) self-sufficient for three districts. Thereby, ending its dependency on Damodar Valley Corporation(DVC). The newly constructed 220/132KV power grid substation and transmission line is situated in Chorkari village of temple town Itkhori. Significantly, the foundation for this power substation was laid by former chief minister Arjun Munda about ten years back.

Surprisingly in October, 2019 former chief minister Raghubar Das had inaugurated this project in a hurry despite the fact that transmission line work was lying incomplete. Chorkari grid cost Rs.200 crore whereas transmission line came up for another Rs.100 crore.

According to a power official, seven districts of the state including Chatra, Koderma, Ramgarh, Dhanbad, Bokaro, Giridih and Hazaribagh fall in the command area of DVC. It supplies power to these seven districts through its own supply network. Frequent shutting down of DVC’s power supply due to payment issues often sparks anger among the residents. Officials said due to this, a project like Chorkari was given green signal to make JBVNL strong in terms of supply networks.

The official said, “With Chorkari power station being ready, JBVNL can take up the supply for Chatra, Hazaribag and Koderma.”

According to officials the Chorkari grid is equipped with a high power system having two 150 MVA power transformers and two of 50 MVA. Efforts are on to charge all four transformers. Even 109km long transmission lines have been erected to connect Chorkari from the Latehar grid.

A JBVNL officer said that they are free to purchase electricity from any of the power producers and to supply it to these districts through Chorkari. “At present trials are on to make this power grid substation ready before the inauguration date,” he added.

Officials said, “Chatra is getting power from Barhi substation of neighbouring Hazaribagh district. Chatra’s requirement is only 70 MW power daily. Chorkari has the capacity of 250MW. It means the surplus power will go to districts like Koderma and Hazaribagh which are fully dependent on DVC for power.”

DGM of power grid, Shiv Shankar said, “Chatra will be unable to consume even half of the power capacity of Chorkari, so each and every corner of the district will get enough supply from here.”

Labour minister and Chatra MLA Satyanand Bhokta confirmed to The Telegraph Online that Chorkari grid inauguration will bring to an end the long wait of Chatra residents. He said, “Once inaugurated, Chatra will get sufficient and uninterrupted power supply.”

Getting a nod from Hemant, district officials including deputy commissioner Anjali Yadav and superintendent of police Rakesh Ranjan are monitoring the preparation.