Haryana to launch project for improving power distribution

Chandigarh, June 16 (UNI) The Haryana Power Utilities have decided to launch a pilot project involving laying of underground distribution cables through ducts to improve the distribution of power system in the industrial districts of Gurgaon and Panipat. A decision to this effect was taken in a meeting presided over by Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda to review the functioning of Power Utilities here yesterday.

It was decided in the meeting that the modalities for the implementation of the pilot project would be finalised shortly. It was also decided to speed up the work to segregate the urban and rural feeders and complete the segregation in the next 18 months, which would help in stabilizing the supply of power in urban as well as rural areas.

The Chief Minister was briefed by engineers of Power Utilities that the project to shift electricity meters from within the boundaries of each complex and installing them at a common place in a cluster had started. This move had yielded encouraging results as the line loses in certain areas have shown a significant decrease.

Initially, this project was being implemented in the sectors developed by Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA). Under this project, the meters were being installed in a specially designed almirah and each such meter was being sealed properly. However, a provision has been made for the consumers to put their own seal too to allay doubts of tampering.

The meeting was informed that a target had been set to reduce line loses by more than six per cent during this year and to achieve it, a number of steps are being taken. With a view to make adequate power available to the consumers, competitive bids have been invited for 2000 MW upto June 29.

While addressing the meeting, Mr Hooda said that in case the monsoon remained normal, the power position would be comfortable otherwise, every effort would be made to purchase power to ensure adequate supply to the consumers. As many as 2294 lakh units of power was purchased on short term basis in April and May, to meet the increased demand, he added.

The Chief Minister directed to ensure that both units of 300 MW thermal power plant being set up at Yamunanager must be operational on schedule in November 2007 and March 2008. He also reviewed the status of the 1000 MW coal based thermal power plant to be set up at Matanhail in Jhajjar district through competitive bidding.

A 1000 MW coal based thermal power plant would also be set up at Hisar by Haryana Power Generation Corporation Ltd at a cost of Rs 4000 crore, the Chief Minister told the meeting.

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