An electronics manufacturing cluster (EMC) in Adityapur, groundwork for which was expected to begin in March, is likely to be delayed, thanks to Jharkhand Urja Vikas Nigam.

Adityapur Industrial Area Development Authority (Aiada), the chief promoter of the Rs 139-crore project funded by the Centre, had paid the state power utility six months ago to shift high-tension (HT) lines from the proposed EMC site, but JUVNL is yet to lift a finger let alone complete the job.

Aiada secretary Hari Kumar Keshri said the cluster would come up on 236 acres and the Union government had already released an advance of Rs 50 crore for the project.

“In the first phase, 150 units are supposed to be set up, for which plots have already been allotted to entrepreneurs. Of these, 99 will come up in four five-storey blocks. But, a 33KV line at the proposed site needs to be shifted first so that multi-storey structures can be raised,” Keshri said.

According to the Aiada secretary, after they approached JUVNL’s Jamshedpur circle office, an estimate was provided for relocating the high-tension power line.

“The JUVNL wanted Rs 69 lakh, which we paid on September 26, 2018, to the superintendent engineer of Jamshedpur circle and were assured that the power line will be shifted within two months. Six months have lapsed and JUVNL is yet to begin the work,” Keshri told this newspaper.

He reiterated that construction work for the five-storey blocks could be launched only after the HT line was relocated.

General manager-cum-chi-ef engineer of JUVNL’s Singhbhum electricity supply area Arvind Kumar passed the buck. “I am not aware (of any such proposal to shift the HT line). Better contact the Jamshedpur circle under which Adityapur falls,” he was brief.

Superintending engineer, Jamshedpur circle, Sudhanshu Kumar too feigned ignorance and declined to comment on the delay.

“Let me check though. If Aiada has indeed paid the money for relocating the HT line, it will be done within a month from now,” he said.