Maharashtra to cut distribution losses by three pc every year

New Delhi, May 28 (UNI) Having reduced distribution losses by five per cent in the last five years, energy-deficient Maharashtra has targeted to cut them by three per cent every year in the next three years by investing a whooping Rs 14,500 crore in upgrading the distribution network.

The state reduced distribution losses from 34.81 per cent to 29.43 per cent in the last five years, Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh informed the Chief Ministers' conference on power sector here today, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Urging the Centre to clear pending proposals of the state government to enable it achieve target of hundred per cent electrification of Maharashtra by December 2008, Mr Deshmukh sought early approval of schemes in 17 districts of the state.

He said of the 41,095 villages in Mahrasthra, 36,010 villages and 377 towns had been electrified. Of the remaining 5,085 villages, the government propose to electrify 4,709 villages under Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Viduytikaran Yojna, he added. The balance of 376 villages will be provided power through non-conventional energy sources.

The Chief Minister said seperation of agri-feeders and single-phasing of power supply is being taken up in 28,000 villages to ensure 8-10 hours of continuous supply to agri-pumps and electricity to rural households at par with urban areas.

Maharashtra currently faces a deficit of around 4,000 megawatts and villagers get a maximum of upto four hours of supply daily.

UNI