Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Aug 22: In a major initiative to improve the electricity supply system in Jammu and Kashmir, the State Power Development Department is all set to replace barbed wire, stranded conductors and worn out poles.
The work in this regard is likely to begin by the mid of September, next month and all the required formalities for the same, such as allotment of job work after opening tenders and purchasing of material besides approval of Detailed Project Report, have been completed while Rs 100 crores from the Prime Minister’s Special Package have been earmarked for the scheme,” authoritative sources told the Excelsior.
Under the scheme to improve the electricity supply system, Rs one crore for each Assembly constituency in the State will be spent under the supervision of respective District Development Commissioner, in addition to Rs one crore per district on annual basis, sources added.
The work under the scheme is likely to take approximately three months for completion and by the end of this year, maximum number of worn out poles, stranded conductors and barbed wire shall be replaced thus improving electricity supply system in the State.
Pertinent to mention that due to tattered infrastructure, electricity supply used to get snapped, particularly during wind storms and heavy rains, thus, putting the consumers to hardships.
According to the sources, matter in this regard was discussed and taken up by Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh, who holds the portfolio of Power Development Department, at the top level following which the proposal was included in the Prime Ministers Special Package and forwarded recently along with a Detailed Project Report (DPR) to the Central Government.
The Central Government has agreed to fund the scheme and a formal nod in this respect is likely to be accorded by the end of this month along with the release of funds for the same, sources added.
In the wake of Centre’s readiness to fund the scheme, official sources informed that the PDD has completed all necessary formalities for early start of the work and avoiding any delay. After inviting tenders, the job work has been allotted while the maximum material has also been purchased for replacing the worn out poles, stranded conductors and barbed wire, source elaborated.
Even as the PDD is confident to replace maximum number of worn out poles and stranded conductors besides barbed wire with Rs 100 crores under this scheme, which is in addition to Rs one crore per district on annual basis, sources said that efforts are also being made to assess the actual requirement to fully revamp the system for improving electricity supply.
When contacted, Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh said that the Governments in the State as well as in the Centre, were committed to fully revamp the entire system for ensuring round the clock power supply to people of Jammu and Kashmir. “Initiatives in this regard are being taken at all levels, such as augmenting generation and improving the supply by reducing transmission and distribution losses,” he said and reiterated that by 2019 , round the clock power shall made available to all registered consumers in the State.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel