The State Government has set a target of completing an advanced and disaster-resilient power supply system in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack by December this year.
The decision in this regard was taken at a high-level review meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy on Thursday.
“Work out advanced implementation schedule for each phase of the work and resolve the ground-level issues as and when they crop up through active coordination among the Departments of Energy and General Administration, GRIDCO and executing agency,” the Chief Secretary said.
Tripathy also directed the OPTCL (Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited) to expedite the implementation through close and coordinated monitoring.
Special Relief Commissioner Pradeep Jena said a system should be developed which can withstand wind speed of 300 km per hour.
Energy Secretary NB Dhal said the new system would meet electrical load demand up to 1,300 MW. It would ensure 24×7 uninterrupted quality power supply at all voltage levels because of the ring supply system. Besides, it would also reduce transmission and distribution losses, electrical accidents, operation and maintenance costs and improve the aesthetic look of the cities.
GRIDCO Chairman Sourabh Garg said the entire power transmission and distribution system would be upgraded and 20 new substations of various capacities would be set up.
The cost of the project has been estimated at around Rs 1,600 crore, which would be funded by the State Government, Garg said, adding that underground cabling work would be undertaken.
New 220-KV substations are being set up at Pratappur Shasan, Balinata, Gothpatana, Godisahi and Cuttack (near Bailashi Mauza). Besides, new 132 substations are coming up in Unit-8, Mancheswar, Bargarh, Satyanagar, Nayapali and Brajabiharipur, he informed.
Resilient 33-KV substations are also being installed in Unit-8, Bargada, Bapujinagar, Master Canteen, Satyanagar, Sahidnagar, Kharavela Nagar, Ranihat and Badambadi areas in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.
OPTCL MD Sanjeeb Singh said underground cabling is being done in many areas of the twin cities. Till today, around 90 per cent of the scheduled works have been completed. More than 10 lakh consumers would benefit from the new system.
