KOCHI: Even though the city has been witnessing mega infrastructure development projects like Metro Rail, some of the basic facilities like uninterrupted quality power supply remains a distant dream for the residents.
An ambitious project of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), to replace all overhead power cables in the city with underground (UG) ones, has reached nowhere.
The scheme named 'Ring Main Project' will considerably minimise transmission losses while ensuring improved safety and reliable supply.
Even 60 per cent of the works have not been completed even though the completion deadline was 2010. According to KSEB officials, the project has been pending due to the delay in getting permission from various government departments to cut roads.
The ambitious programme to lay 200 km of underground power cables was initiated under the Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (APDRP) of the Union government.
When contacted, KSEB chief engineer (Distribution – Central) A.M Jamal told DC that it was a challenging project, as effective coordination between various government departments was required.
“The project will be commissioned when the cables are through and the ring main units (RMU) are networked. Since effective coordination between various agencies is a must, the contractor alone can’t take up the project,” he said.
Agencies like National Highway Authority of India, Greater Cochin Development Authority, Public Works Department and City Corporation are reluctant to give permission for road cutting. Cables have to be laid along Kaloor Kathrikadavu Road, SA Road and national highway bypass at Edappally.
“While PWD, NHAI and other agencies decline permission to cut roads for the project, big shopping malls and business firms have been allowed to cut roads, including NH 47, for UG cabling,” said top sources at KSEB. But there are allegations that it was the incompetence of KSEB which delayed the implementation of the project.
Once completed, the Rs. 90 cr project will bring down transmission losses to less than 15 per cent from the current 19 per cent over the next five years. It will also help to avoid power disruptions due to technical reasons.
