Petition of the in-principle grant of connectivity of the CERC (Connectivity and General Network Access to the inter-state transmission system) Regulations – EQ
Summary:
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### **1. SUBJECT OF THE PETITION**
* **Petitioner:** Datta Power Infra Private Limited (DPIPL)
* **Respondent:** Central Transmission Utility of India Limited (CTUIL)
* **Relief Sought:** Interim directions to **restrain CTUIL** from taking **coercive actions** against DPIPL, including:
* Revocation of in-principle connectivity grant.
* Encashment of connectivity bank guarantees.
* **Legal Basis:** Regulation 11b(2) of the **CERC (Connectivity and General Network Access to the Inter-State Transmission System) Regulations, 2022**.
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### **2. KEY ARGUMENTS PRESENTED**
#### **A. PETITIONER’S (DPIPL) SUBMISSIONS:**
1. **Timing of Final Grant of Connectivity:**
* CTUIL issued the **final grant of connectivity only on 29.12.2025 at 7:52 PM**—just before the Financial Closure (FC) deadline of 30.12.2025.
* No final grant was issued at the time of the previous hearing (19.12.2025).
2. **Extension of Scheduled Commercial Operation Date (SCOD):**
* **SJVN** (presumably the power offtaker) via emails dated 30.12.2025 and 2.1.2026 has indicated:
* Tentative PPA signing date: **28.2.2026**
* Tentative SCOD: **28.2.2028**
* Consequently, the **deadline for achieving FC should be 28.8.2027** as per Regulation 11A(2).
3. **Commitment to Timelines:**
* Regardless, DPIPL commits to achieving FC by **31.12.2026**.
* Already taken substantial steps for project setup.
4. **Request:** CTUIL should be restrained from taking any coercive steps given these circumstances.
#### **B. RESPONDENT’S (CTUIL) SUBMISSIONS:**
1. **Adequate Prior Notice:**
* FC deadline was communicated to DPIPL **as early as August 2025**.
2. **Admission of Final Grant:**
* Acknowledges final grant was communicated on 29.12.2025.
3. **Calculation of FC Deadline:**
* Firm start date of connectivity is **30.6.2026**.
* Therefore, FC deadline should be **30.12.2026** (6 months from start date as per regulations).
4. **Validity of SJVN’s Extension:**
* SJVN’s emails offering **tentative extensions** do **not meet regulatory criteria**.
* CTUIL has **not considered such tentative extensions** in other similar cases.
5. **Reason for Delay in Final Grant:**
* Delay was due to CTUIL’s engagement in **implementing the Third Amendment to the GNA Regulations**.
* CTUIL will file a compliance affidavit regarding queries raised in the RoP dated 19.12.2025.
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### **3. COMMISSION’S DIRECTIONS & OUTCOME**
1. **Permission for Written Submissions:**
* Both parties allowed to file **written submissions within 2 days**, with copies to each other.
2. **Reservation for Order:**
* Since arguments were made on **merits**, the Commission **reserved the matter for final order**.
* No interim relief was granted or denied immediately.
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