Srinagar: Advisor to Governor B B Vyas Saturday reviewed the progress of power sector here and directed for curbing power pilferage and cutting down on transmission and distribution losses.
Speaking at a meeting here in this regard, Vyas sought detailed progress on projects sanctioned under the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP-15).
The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary PDD, Hirdesh Kumar, Development Commissioner Power Asghar Ali Majaz, Executive Director JKSPDC Ajay Gupta, and Chief Engineers, Superintending Engineers of various wings of PDD and other senior officers.
Chief Engineer E&MRE Jammu and Superintending Engineers of the Jammu division attended the meeting through video conferencing.
The Advisor sought status of implementation of advanced technological interventional projects like establishment of Smart Grid in industrial areas, installation of 2 lakh smart meters in urban areas, besides installation 9.25 lakh consumer meters included in PMDP and other flagship schemes.
Stressing on curbing power pilferage, the Advisor said smart grid projects for industrial areas will enable the department to monitor and control supply to these areas at remote control centres which shall facilitate 24X7 quality power supply to these areas.
He directed for early installation of the smart meters in urban areas where hassle-free communication is available and pre-paid meters in rural areas. He also said with the installation of these meters, the manual meter reading shall be dispensed with so that mechanism of billing system is made digital and foolproof.
“The smart meters will facilitate the consumers to monitor real time consumption of electricity units and amount charged. It will also provide facility to the department to enforce demand side management for ensuring 24×7 quality supply to the consumers,” the meeting was informed.
The prepaid meters can be charged by the consumers in the same manner as pre-paid mobile phones are charged and consumers will get supply from the meter till pre-paid amount is exhausted and consumer can recharge the meter again for continuation of the supply.
Saying that the new initiatives shall help the department to cut down on the revenue deficit of Rs 3500 crore per year, Vyas asked the department to replace all existing conventional meters with smart meters and prepaid meters in 2-year time-frame.
The Advisor issued instructions to fix responsibility at individual level to complete the projects in time bound manner and directed the officers to review monthly progress at CEs level.
He also instructed to flag the issues related to land acquisition so that same are taken up with the concerned officers at earliest.
To ensure timely completion of projects tendered to different companies, Vyas directed the officers to ensure that the manpower provided by the consultants for execution of various schemes possess the relevant qualification and experience.
Commissioner Secretary PDD informed the meeting that Government of India has sanctioned projects worth Rs 8011 crore under DDUGJY, RGGVY-II, IPDS and PMDP for capacity addition/ strengthening of generation, transmission and distribution systems in the State’s power sector.
He said works under these schemes have been divided into 380 projects, out of which 361 projects have been tendered out, 276 projects are awarded, tenders of 81 projects are under finalization, 149 projects are completed and work is under progress in 127 projects. In addition, RAPDRP scheme is also under implementation at sanctioned cost of Rs 1817 Cr.
Regarding generation sector, it was informed that the total capacity available under Central, State and Private Sectors is 3124 MW and will be increased to 3571 MW by the end of the year end.
The Advisor was also apprised that transmission level at 220kV and 132kV, 220kV Srinagar – Leh Transmission Line, 220/132 kV, 320MVA Grid Station Alsteng, 400kV Samba-Delina line and Augmentation of 220/132kV Delina Grid Station are under progress and will be completed by October, 2018 to remove transmission constraints and to provide grid connectivity to Ladakh Region.
Regarding the achievement of department in achieving electrification of all villages in state, the Advisor was informed that all 102 un-electrified villages have been achieved before the stipulated timeline of 30th April, 2018.
“Under Saubhagaya scheme 2 inspirational districts; Baramulla and Kupwara are scheduled to be saturated with 100% household electrification by 31st August, 2018,” meeting was informed.
