Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, K.K Sharma today said that Power Development Department (PDD) was undergoing major reforms to address shortcomings in power sector in Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking at an inauguration function of an up-gradation of Cheshmashahi Grid Station, the Advisor said many power-related projects are coming up and several other existing projects are being upgraded under Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP). He said all these measures would end the shortcomings of electricity in Kashmir valley, especially during winter season.
“We have created separate power Corporations for Jammu and Kashmir divisions, headed by Managing Directors. This will not only decentralize decision making but it will also bring efficiency component to its functioning,” Advisor Sharma said. “People should be assured that lots of reforms are happening into Power Development Department for bringing efficiency and making it viable Corporation,” he said.
The Advisor urged PDD officials to go for re-structuring of the department and its allied wings, besides working in close coordination for gaining greater results into the power distribution.
The Advisor sought feedback from the officers over several ongoing developmental projects—stressing that the works under centrally sponsored schemes should be completed sooner. He asked the officers to identify the bottlenecks in the works and complete the projects on priority.
The Advisor was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Dr Shahid Choudhary, Managing Director, Kashmir Power Development Corporation (KPDCL) Aijaz Ahmad Khan, Chief Engineer, PDD, Hashmat Qazi.
The commissioning ceremony of 50 MVA, 132/ 33 KV Power Transformer for augmentation of 132/33 KV Cheshmashahi from 105 MVA to 140 MVA was also attended by Chief Engineers of PDD, SEs, Executive Engineers, among other officials.
The officials informed the meeting that on an average, the department has been supplying peak load of 1200 MW and in harsh climate the department faced the challenge of supplying increased load, which gradually surges from the onset of autumn and peaks in winter. The meeting was informed that in order to avoid unscheduled cuts due to constrictions of existing infrastructure at 33 KV level and below, Up-gradation of critically overloaded 33 KV feeders and Receiving Stations is being carried out under various centrally sponsored schemes like PMRP/ DDUGJY /IPDS.
The Advisor was informed that the augmentation works of 132/33 KV Cheshmashahi Grid Sub-Station from 105 MVA to 140 MVA has been completed under PMDP and the new 50 MVA Transformer has been charged and tested on load successfully.
The officials said that the augmentation would improve power availability in major areas of Srinagar city including, Lal Chowk, Governor House, Dalgate, Sonwar, TRC, Rajbagh, BB Cant, Centaur, Nishat, Shalimar and other adjoining areas, after successful testing and Commissioning of 220 KV D/C Zainakote-Alustang Transmission Line ending this month.
Divulging details about several other projects, the officials informed the Advisor that major works are being executed by JKPTCL, Kashmir, under Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP).
The projects including, Line In Line Out (LlLO) of 220 KV D/C Wagoora, Mirbazar Line at Lassipora (22 Towers), Circuit of 220 KV D/C Alustang-New Wanpoh Line at Tailbal, Construction of 220 KV D/C, near Wanpoh-Mirbazar Transmission Line, extension of 220 KV D/C Mirbazar-Alustang Line upto 400/220kV Grid Sub Station New Wanpoh (PGCIL), Construction of LILO of 220 kV D/C Zainakot -Delina Transmission line, construction of 150 MVA 132/33 kV Grid Station Tengpora (GIS), augmentation of 132/33 kV Grid Station Zainakot from 75 MVA to 125 MVA, augmentation of 132/33 kV Grid Station Bemina from 150 MVA to 200 MVA, augmentation of 132/33 kV Grid Station Cheshmashahi-from 459-00 105 MVA to 140 MVA, augmentation of 132/33 kV Grid station, Chadoora from 50 MVA t0 100 MVA, augmentation of 132/33 KV Grid Station. Khrew from 100 MVA to 150 MVA, LlLO of Budgam, Bemina Line at Tengpora using Power Cable , replacement of of existing Panther-conductor by HTLS conductor on 132 KV D/C, Pampore -Cheshmashahi and Pampore -Khonmoh section of 132/33 KV Pampore-Chesmashahi Transmission Line.
The Advisor directed the officials to launch a drive to collect revenue from the consumers and simultaneously launch an awareness campaign to educate them about the power pilferage and rights and duties of the consumers. The Advisor also directed the PDD officials to publicize power curtailment schedule regularly in print and electronic media.
Managing Director, Kashmir Power Development Corporation, Aijaz Ahmad Khan informed the meeting that department was taking all possible measures to maintain stable power supply during winters. He said that under construction Zainakoot-Alestang Transmission line will also provide a relief to the people once it is completed. He said that comprehensive contingency plans have been drawn to work again on war footing.
The meeting was informed that with the commissioning of 220 KV ring line connecting Zainakote grid and Aulesteng Grid at 220 KV level, the City grids, Waganpora, Habbak, Cheshmashahi and Pampore Grid will be able to feed additional power to the order of 200 MW to Srinagar and other adjoining areas—reducing the infrastructure constraint and minimizing the curtailment hours in the City.