REC Limited & Govt of Meghalaya Facilitate Landmark MoU Between MePDCL and CPRI to Enhance Quality Testing for Power Infrastructure in Meghalaya

REC Limited, a Maharatna Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Power and a leading NBFC, has successfully mediated a crucial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation Limited (MePDCL) and the Central Power Research Institute (CPRI).

The MoU was signed by MePDCL and CPRI in presence of Dr Shakeel P. Ahammed, Meghalaya Chief Secretary; Shri Jitendra Srivastava, CMD, REC; Dr J Sreedevi, DG, CPRI; Shri Prince Dhawan, ED, REC;  Shri Subhendu Roy, CPM Guwahati, REC and other senior officials from MePDCL, CPRI and REC.

This strategic partnership is a significant step towards bolstering the quality assurance mechanism for power distribution infrastructure in Meghalaya and entire North-East India, particularly under the flagship Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).

Key Highlights of the Collaboration:

NABL Accreditation Goal: The primary objective of the MoU is to establish a NABL-accredited testing facility within Meghalaya, addressing the critical logistical challenges and delays faced by North Eastern States in sending materials for quality testing to distant laboratories.

CPRI’s Technical Leadership: CPRI, a premier research and development organization in the power sector, will provide comprehensive consultancy and technical support. This includes preparing detailed specifications for procurement, guiding documentation, and offering supervisory support to ensure MePDCL's facility is fully equipped and prepared for NABL inspection.

REC Limited’s Mediation and Support: As the Nodal Agency for the RDSS, REC Limited played a pivotal role in mediating this agreement, reinforcing its commitment to strict quality control and timely execution of scheme projects. The local availability of a NABL-accredited lab is expected to significantly expedite the Field Material Quality Testing and Inspection (FMQI) process, which has previously been delayed due to the necessity of transporting heavy equipment like Distribution Transformers (DTRs) across long distances.

Boosting Local Capacity: MePDCL will provide the necessary testing equipment (including specialized instruments like HV test benches and frequency meters), calibration of existing assets, and preparing the facility. This initiative will not only improve material quality but also strengthen local technical expertise through training and hand-holding by CPRI officials.

 

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Secretary Meghalaya said, "This initiative will bolster the pace of works under RDSS and will also help MePDCL build in-house testing capacity. He appreciated the efforts of MePDCL to ensure quality certification of power infrastructure being built under RDSS"

CMD, REC Limited said, "This MoU marks a milestone in overcoming the geographic hurdles that often impede rapid quality assessment in the North Eastern Region. By facilitating the establishment of a local, NABL-accredited facility through this partnership, we are ensuring that RDSS projects in Meghalaya meet the highest standards of material quality and are executed efficiently, thereby benefiting the consumers directly."

REC CMD also thanked the efforts of Sh. Sanjay Goyal, CMD, MeECL and Shri Prince Dhawan, ED, REC for their efforts.

This agreement underscores the collective commitment of MePDCL, CPRI, and REC Limited to enhancing power system reliability and service delivery for the people of Meghalaya.