CEA Issues Standardized Timelines For ISTS Projects To Streamline India’s Transmission Infrastructure Development

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA), under the Ministry of Power, has issued standardized implementation timelines for Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) projects across India. The guidelines were released through an office memorandum issued by B.S. Bairwa, Chief Engineer and Member Secretary of the National Committee on Transmission (NCT). The timelines were approved during the 40th meeting of the NCT held on April 15, 2026, and are aimed at improving planning, coordination, and timely development of the country’s transmission infrastructure.

According to the new framework, greenfield substations operating at 765kV and 400kV voltage levels are expected to be completed within 36 months. Greenfield substations at lower voltage levels of 220kV and 132kV have been assigned a completion period of 24 months. For Mega High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) projects, including both transmission lines and substations, the implementation period ranges from 48 to 54 months due to the complexity and scale of such systems.

The timelines for transmission lines depend on their voltage level, configuration, and route length. For instance, a 765kV double-circuit transmission line exceeding 100 kilometers has been given a completion period of 36 months. In comparison, a 400kV double-circuit line shorter than 50 kilometers is expected to be completed within 24 months. Capacity augmentation works at existing substations have generally been assigned timelines ranging between 24 and 30 months.

The CEA has also provided flexibility for projects located in difficult geographical regions. Projects in hilly and challenging areas such as the North Eastern Region, Sikkim, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, and Himachal Pradesh may receive extensions of six to twelve months, depending on project-specific requirements.

For schemes involving multiple project components, the longest applicable timeline among the components will determine the overall completion schedule. The CEA has advised transmission developers, power generators, distribution companies, and bulk consumers to align procurement, financing, and operational planning with these timelines to ensure smooth integration of projects into the national power grid.