This story is from June 12, 2019

UT seeks progress report on pending power projects

As the city residents are facing frequent power cuts, the UT administration has sought progress report on pending power projects from the UT electricity department.
UT seeks progress report on pending power projects
The UT had submitted city’s 20-year power infra roadmap without deadline of projects
CHANDIGARH: As the city residents are facing frequent power cuts, the UT administration has sought progress report on pending power projects from the UT electricity department.
Recently, the UT had submitted city’s 20-year power infra roadmap before the Joint electricity regulatory commission (JERC), but no deadline was mentioned for the implementation of specific projects.
Thereafter, the JERC had directed the electricity department to mention deadlines for the completion of these proposed projects, which were mentioned in the detailed project report (DPR).
Now, the UT administration has sought report on these projects, which will be further submitted to the commission.
The UT power department had submitted that there are five 33 KV sub-stations and thirteen 66 KV sub-stations located in different parts of the city. As per laid down norms, a sub-station has a life span of 25 years. Around six 66 KV sub-stations have crossed their life span and the number of such sub-stations will continue to grow.
To address the problem, the department had prepared a detailed project report (DPR) for the upgradation of infrastructure, which the department plans to execute in phase manner in the next 20 years at a cost of Rs 2773 crore.
As per the plan, a total of 12 new 66KV grid sub-stations will be established while all the existing 66KV sub-stations will be upgraded in the next 10 years. There is overhead transmission line of 2037 kilometre in the city, which will be converted into underground line. There is also a plan to install new 1825 distribution transformers.

According to official records, there are five 33KV sub-stations and 13 66KV sub-stations across the city. The department had submitted that they need Rs 775.96 crore for power purchase for financial year 2019-20. Peak power demand is estimated to reach 404 MW in 2019-20. In 2021-2022, it will increase to 448 MW in Chandigarh.
Given the high rate of population growth, UT electricity department is already finding it difficult to provide uninterrupted power supply to city residents. The department also plans to improve its power infrastructure.
Chandigarh does not have its own power plant and buys from central generating stations such as Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited, National Thermal Power Corporation Limited, Bhakra Beas Management Board, National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and the Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN). Power allocation from each station is fixed for a year, while the deficit is met through an unallocated quota and short-term power purchase.
No progress in underground cable laying project
There is also no progress on the ambitious project of conversion of existing overhead lines to the underground system and replacement of infrastructure.
The planning for the project was started in January 2017 but the department is struggling to finalise a bidder for the project. The UT administration had finalised project of conversion of existing overhead lines to the underground system and replacement of infrastructure in Sector 8. The JERC has already accorded approval for capital expenditure of Rs 17.89 crore for the project on pilot basis. The department had picked Sector 8, as the existing infrastructure is about five decades old and frequently breaks down, especially during peak summer season.
The UT electricity department generates bills for domestic customers bimonthly. Domestic consumers have been divided into four groups of 50,000 each. They pay bills in six cycles a year. Bills of commercial consumers are generated every month.
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About the Author
Rajinder Nagarkoti

Rajinder Nagarkoti is Principal Correspondent with The Times of India, Chandigarh. He covers Chandigarh Administration and CBI, NIA courts in Panchkula.

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