Only 30% of project that aims to cut T&D loss completed
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KOCHI: The dream of Kochi residents to have uninterrupted quality power supply will remain a distant dream as the Kerala State Electricity Board has completed only 30 per cent of the Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (R-APDRP).
The Rs 243-cr project funded by the Centre to help transmission and distribution loss by at least 15 per cent was originally scheduled to be commissioned in September.
KSEB chief engineer (Distribution – Central) C.K. Dayapradeep told DC the project has been delayed due to lack of effective coordination between various government departments, contractors and board officials.
“During a review meeting held on September 14, it has been instructed to augment the scheme and to complete it by March 2016. Though some of components like underground cabling and replacement of faulty metres have been progressing, installation of new transformers and the ring main units is not yet started,” he said.
Under the project, 306 km 11kv underground cables, 41.6km 11kv aerial bunched cables, 25.83km 11kv high-tension overhead lines, 43.41km three phase-four wire low tension overhead lines and 80km low tension aerial bunched cables will be laid.
Replacement of faulty metres, installing capacitors, street light controllers with metering facility and distribution boxes are also being undertaken as part of the scheme.
“Procurement of transformers, ring min units and other equipment will be completed in next two or three months. And the contractor company has been asked to augment works to meet the completion deadline,” added the KSEB official.
Once completed, the project will bring down the transmission loss 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
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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