NEPRA imposes Rs10m fine on NTDC

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has imposed a fine of Rs10 million on the National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) due to its negligence in maintenance work that resulted in accidents.

In a verdict, NEPRA directed the NTDC to submit the fine within three months. It stated that established SOPs were not followed during maintenance work.

NEPRA also ordered compensation for the affected employees and their families. It said failure to adhere to safety protocols was a violation of the NEPRA Act. The accidents raise serious concerns about NTDC's performance and capabilities, it added.

The authority said it had instructed the NTDC to conduct an inquiry into the accidents. Despite the passage of eight months, the company failed to submit the final inquiry report.

The NTDC is a power transmission company managed by the Ministry of Energy of Pakistan. It was separated from WAPDA in 1998. The company owns all 220 KV and 500 KV grid stations and transmission lines in Pakistan.