As power losses mount, Centre steps in to push for reforms
With J&K grappling to bring down power losses, the Union Power Ministry has set up a Task Force to recommend measures for revamping electricity distribution system across the State.
To begin with, the Force would prepare a blueprint for twin cities of Srinagar and Jammu for augmenting the ongoing Restructured-Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Program (R-APDRP) and Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS), and suggest measures for strengthening the existing power infrastructure in the cities.
Top officials from Power Ministry including its Joint Secretary, experts from Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Central Electricity Authority, Power Grid Corporation India Limited, Power Finance Corporation and State officials including Principal Secretary Power, Chief Engineers Power Development Department (MnRE) of Jammu and Kashmir and Chief Engineer Purchases, Kashmir are part of the high level panel.
The constitution of the Task Force was announced by Union Minister of State for Power (Independent Charge), Piyush Goyal here earlier this week while chairing a high-level meeting to review performance in State Power Sector.
“The things which are not covered under the two schemes (IPDS and R-APDRP) will be recommended by the panel for upgrading existing infrastructure and putting in place modern distribution system. The system can then be extended to towns as well,” said Goyal.
“To put it in simple terms, I want these two cities (Srinagar and Jammu) to become Mumbai, where we have round-the-clock power supply and the losses are minimum. Whatever it takes, day and night work, I want complete report by July 31,” the Union Minister told the meeting which was attended by top officials from his Ministry and several authorities from state Government.
At present, J&K faces around 62 percent Aggregate Technical and Commercial losses (ATCL) and 53 percent Transmission and Distribution (T&D) losses– both highest in any state.
Last year, the Government started implementation of Rs 1665 crore R-APDRP aimed at strengthening T&D system and reducing AT&C losses.
The twin cities of Srinagar and Jammu and 30 towns across J&K were to be covered under the Program, targeted for completion in two years.
A senior PDD official said the R-APDRP has now been subsumed in IPDS and the program would be extending to smaller towns as well.
The focus of IPDS is strengthening of sub-transmission and distribution network, metering of distribution transformers /feeders /consumers and IT enablement of distribution sector and strengthening of distribution network in the urban areas. The scheme would also help in reduction in AT&C losses.
“We have also prepared Rs 900 crore feasibility report for augmenting R-APDRP under which focus would be on installation of high-tech meters,” he said. “The State desperately needs funding for improving distribution, addressing congestion problem and replacing conductors.
Our accident rate is one of the highest among all the state.”
The official said the Task Force would recommend works which were not part of R-APDRP/ IPDS or were not carried under state plan. The Force, he said, would work out requirements to provide continuous power supply to the customers and at the same time suggest measures for bringing down losses.
“The end product has to be efficiency in power distribution,” he said.
