An excessive load on the transformers has been proving one of the major causes for the frequent power cuts in the State. Well established sources revealed that replacing of obsolete transformers with new transformers is the regular feature for ensuring round-the-clock electricity supply to the consumers.
The number of domestic and commercial electricity consumers has been increasing month after month in the State. The Uttarakhand Power Corporation limited data clearly highlighted that the 8,16,949 were connection holders at the time of creation of Uttarakhand and it increased with the rate of 95 per cent up to 15,93,853 connections in the Garhwal and Kumaon divisions of the State.
Additionally, 1466 was the load (Mega Watt) at the time of the formation of the State and now it has crossed 4,000 with an increase of 175 per cent.Sources revealed that the couple of transformers in the every sub-station which includes north, central, south, Rishikesh, Vikas Nagar, and rural are either obsolete or repaired by the department thus causing the transformers unable to bear the excessive load especially during the peak hours.
He further told that District Magistrates of the hilly States inspected the stand-by transformers installed by the department as per the requirements of sub-stations for ensuring the disrupted free power to those consumers, who are living in the hilly parts of the State.
One of the department officials who wished anonymity told The Pioneer that the number of connections has increased manifold since the State came into being existence and transformers are unable to bear the excessive load especially during the peak hours.
Sources said that the department is also planning to procure latest transformers from Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Kanpur depending on the requirement and the stipulated lifetime of new transformers is nearly 25 years.