Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Thursday inaugurated the wholesome exercise of strengthening the power distribution system in Ranchi for towns such as Gumla, lohardaga and Simdega. The power infrastructure revamp programme is part of the Centre's Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (R-APDRP) part-B, meant for 30 select towns of Jharkhand at the cost of Rs 1,181.45 crore.
As reported by The Pioneer earlier, Polycab Wire ltd in a joint venture with leena Power Tech, Mumbai, would conduct the exercise in the capital and three other towns.
“The firm had been declared the lowest bidder in a tender floated for R-APDRP part B in the Ranchi package, covering the city, apart from Gumla, lohardaga and Simdega. Besides constructing new lines, the company would also do underground cabling for high-tension as well as lT lines,” said Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam limited Managing Director Rahul Purwar.
A similar exercise would also be started for Jamshedpur in May.
Under the project, major works to be done included 11 new 33/11 kv power sub-stations, 28.75 km new 33 kv line, 407.7 km new 11 kv line, re-conducting of 33 kv line for 112 km, re-conducting of 11 kv line for 662 km.
On the underground cabling segment, the company would put in 9.5 km 33 kv line and 32 km 11 kv line. 51.78 km of 11 kv AB cable and 965.95 km of lT AB cable would also be laid out.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister termed the exercise as a leap in the direction of ensuring round-the-clock power supply. "Many Governments came and talked about 24X7 and zero power cut. But there was no concerted effort and the attempts failed. Building infrastructure is the first and foremost thing for achieving zero power cut. It will take time and I also expect the people's cooperation. They need to bear with power cuts till the work is completed," said Das.
The CM also raked up the issue of corruption in the electricity establishment in the past which was halting many of the structured reform processes. He reiterated that all villages of the State would be energized in real terms by 2018 under the Deendayal rural electrification scheme that will start in all divisions from May.
Principal Secretary, Energy Department, SKG Rahate said the entire exercise is expected to be 70 per cent complete in a year's time and fully achieved by May 2018. "Modernization, upgrade, stabilization and consistency are the components that are going to be achieved through this exercise. It would be conducted in four phases," said Rahate.