Tummala Says State Strengthening Power Infrastructure

Nalgonda: Agriculture minister Tummala Nageswara Rao on Sunday said the state government was strengthening power infrastructure by setting up new sub-stations and transmission lines to ensure quality and uninterrupted electricity supply.

He, along with Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, inaugurated a 33/11 kV sub-station at Pakabanda in Khammam.

Addressing the gathering, he said the government was providing free electricity to agricultural pump sets and domestic connections up to 200 units. He said the state had met peak summer demand without power cuts.

He directed officials to shift electric poles obstructing development works in municipal areas and called for coordination among roads and buildings, electricity, municipal and irrigation departments for timely completion of projects. He also asked officials to prepare plans for setting up solar power plants on government lands.

He urged the public not to believe Opposition claims on free power to farmers.

Officials noted that peak demand had increased from 15,000 MW in 2023 to 18,548 MW at present and was expected to rise further due to projects such as Musi River rejuvenation, Future City, industrial expansion, Pharma City and data centres, along with agricultural growth.

The minister said the government was focusing on green energy with a target of generating 20,000 MW of renewable energy by 2030 and was examining the establishment of a dedicated ‘Farmer DISCOM’ to improve services for the agricultural sector.

He said despite an increase of about 3,500 MW in demand over the past two-and-a-half years, there had been no power cuts in the state.

He added that measures had been taken for the welfare of electricity department employees, including accident insurance coverage of ₹1 crore. He said plans were under way to install solar pump sets for six lakh acres cultivated by tribal farmers under the Indira Giri Jala Vikasa scheme.