Power Grid to invest in national high power testing lab

26 Apr 2024 CW Team

The State-owned Power Grid Corporation announced that it had signed an agreement to inject funds and acquire a 50 percent stake in the troubled National High Power Test Laboratory (NHPTL). It was disclosed in a regulatory filing that a supplementary joint venture agreement regarding this matter had been signed on April 23, 2024, by NHPTL's shareholders.

NHPTL, collaboration among NTPC, NHPC, POWERGRID, DVC (Damodar Valley Corporation), and CPRI (Central Power Research Institute), has been grappling with financial difficulties.

The injection of funds is contingent upon the approval of the management of the joint venture parties, namely NTPC, NHPC, DVC, and CPRI.

The filing also mentioned that during a meeting convened on September 15, 2022, a revival plan was formulated in collaboration with the Ministry of Power. The plan aimed to address NHPTL's financial crisis and ensure the long-term viability of the country's crucial high-voltage transformer testing facility.

As part of the revival plan, there will be equity transactions among the shareholders. Consequently, POWERGRID's equity holding in NHPTL will increase to 50 percent, while the remaining 50 percent will be equally divided among the other four joint venture partners, with each holding 12.5 percent.

Infrastructure Urban

06 Jul 2026

ABS Marine Sees CRISIL Credit Rating Upgrade

ABS Marine Services has secured an upgrade to its long term and short term credit ratings from CRISIL, reflecting improved profitability and revenue growth through long term contracts. CRISIL moved the long term rating from BBB+/Stable to A-/Stable and revised the short term rating from A2 to A2+. The action signals strengthened financial metrics and operational resilience. The company benefited from durable client relationships with firms such as ONGC and Schlumberger. The rating decision followed stronger cash flows and an enlarged bank loan facility, which increased from Rs 3,705 million (m..

Project BRAHMANK Marks 16 Years Of Strategic Roads In Arunachal

Project BRAHMANK is marking 16 years of work to establish strategic road and bridge links across Arunachal Pradesh, maintaining and developing 811 kilometres of roads and nearly 86 bridges that range from small culverts to large steel and arch bridges. These transport links are described as critical for ensuring year-round movement of defence personnel, equipment and essential supplies while improving everyday travel for people in remote villages. The project balances national security requirements with regional development by focusing on reliable access in challenging terrain. Notable enginee..

Longleng CSOs Give One Week Ultimatum Over Two-Lane Highway

Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Longleng district have demanded immediate restoration of the deteriorating Changtongya–Longleng two-lane road and sought a detailed status report on the stalled construction within one week. The demand followed a consultative meeting convened under the Phom Peoples' Council (PPC) to discuss welfare and development concerns. PPC president YB Angam Phom said prolonged non-maintenance had caused hardship to commuters and affected transportation, local commerce and the district's development. The meeting urged authorities to undertake immediate restoration a..