Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday reviewed the current status of power generation, transmission and distribution in Uttar Pradesh.
The meeting, which was attended by Energy Minister AK Sharma, senior officials of the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited and all DISCOMs, focused on ongoing efforts and future plans.
Electricity demand is growing rapidly, with peak demand rising from 20,062 MW in 2018-19 to 30,618 MW on June 13 this year. To meet public needs, uninterrupted power supply was ensured during the summer, he said, and added it was essential to provide adequate power supply in accordance with demand.
To achieve the goal of ‘Har Ghar Bijli-Nirbadh Bijli’, it is crucial to upgrade the power transmission system. Before establishing a new sub-station, a thorough assessment of local needs must be conducted. New sub-stations should be set up based on a five-year requirement target, the chief minister stressed.
Whether in rural or urban areas, any damaged transformer should be repaired immediately, with new transformers provided as needed, he said, adding that adherence to the stipulated time limits was essential, and the performance of agencies responsible for transformer repairs should be monitored.
“All calls to the toll-free number/helpline must be attended to, ensuring that every consumer’s issue is addressed promptly,” he stressed.
There is often dissatisfaction among the public regarding fixing the electricity connection charge, highlighting the need for uniformity. Rules should be improved to ensure consistency, with a focus on reducing unnecessary infrastructure charges and prioritising the convenience of the common citizen, he added.
The chief minister said UP had achieved the goal of ‘Sabko Bijli-Nirbadh Bijli’ (uninterrupted electricity to all) in the last seven years.
“Electricity now reaches every village and hamlet ensuring equitable distribution without VIP treatment to any particular district. It is gratifying that currently, electricity is supplied without discrimination,” he said, adding that during the intense heat, additional efforts were made to ensure convenience for the public, with round-the-clock electricity provided state-wide from March 15 to June 30.
In addition to various hydropower projects, 22 thermal projects are successfully operational in the state, located in Anpara, Harduaganj, Obra, Parichha and Jawaharpur. The construction of units in Ghatampur, Panki, Obra-C and Jawaharpur should be completed promptly.
Apart from Obra D, Anpara E and Meja Thermal Project-II being set up as a joint venture with NTPC, the work of Khurja thermal project under construction with THDC is expected to be accelerated. These initiatives will significantly enhance the state’s power generation capacity.
A study should be conducted to explore the feasibility of establishing pump storage plants at Rihand Dam, Obra Reservoir and nearby areas, the chief minister said.
The primary challenge faced by the power corporation is issue and distribution of flawless bills and collection of revenue from all consumers. It is crucial that no consumer receives an incorrect electricity bill and that all bills are delivered on time. Overbilling or delays not only inconvenience consumers but also diminish their confidence in the system, affecting their willingness to pay. Concrete efforts must be made by all, from Discom to feeder, to ensure timely and accurate billing and effective communication with consumers to achieve this goal, he stressed.
Line losses are steadily decreasing due to strategic efforts. It is essential to combat electricity theft and monitor the performance of meter readers. We must ensure that no consumer faces harassment under the guise of meter checks or outstanding bills, maintaining a goodwill approach in all interactions, he added.
There was considerable enthusiasm for the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijlee Yojana, with over 18 lakh people having registered for the programme, Yogi said. It is important to promote this scheme widely and encourage more individuals to take part, he added.
The chief minister asked the officials to complete the process of land acquisition for the proposed solar parks in Jhansi, Lalitpur, Kanpur Nagar, Kanpur Dehat, Chitrakoot and Jalaun expeditiously. Similarly, in accordance with the bio-energy policy, the process of setting up CBG, bio-coal and bio-diesel plants should also be taken forward, he added.
