In a review meeting chaired by Rohit Kansal Principal Secretary to the Jammu and Kashmir government (Power Development Department), it was decided that the augmentation of the capacity of grid station at Delina Baramulla will be completed by December end.
With this augmentation, the capacity of Delina Grid Station would double from existing 160 MVA to 320 MVA. This, in turn, will significantly enhance the power supply position to Baramulla and Kupwara districts and bring relief to the people of the twin districts.
Later in the day, Principal Secretary Kansal visited the Delina Grid Station and took stock of 160 MV augmentation project. He complimented the engineers and staff for their efforts, and exhorted them to complete the work by December 31, 2020.
In another significant decision, it was decided that 10.5 MW small hydro-electric project would be constructed at Mohra, Baramulla. Secretary of the Power Development Department said that Mohra project shall be taken up for construction by Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation. The work is expected to be allotted by as early as March 2021.
Mohra Power House bears great significance from heritage point of view as it was the first hydroelectric project set up in J&K in the year 1905. The hydro-electric project would not only generate electricity but also revive the old memories of the heritage Mohra Power House.
Earlier in the day, Kansal also reviewed the power scenario of two districts of Kupwara and Baramulla and issued directions to the engineering staff to streamline the power system and remove difficulties by taking additional measures.
He called upon all the officers to ensure that there is proper mechanism in place for replacement and repair of damaged transformers and that damaged transformers are replaced immediately from the buffer stock kept available in all districts.
He also emphasized that the damaged transformers must be repaired at the designated departmental workshops as quickly as possible. Instructions were given for quick transportation of damaged transformers from Districts to workshops twice a week to replenish the buffer stock and improve the turn-around and repair time of transformers.
In order to improve the schedule of repair of damaged transformers, he also sanctioned two trunk-mounted cranes, one each for Kupwara and Sopore districts.
Kansal also gave directions to augment the capacity of District level workshops so that 400KVA transformers are also repaired without referral to the central workshop.
The Principal Secretary stated that the overall objective of the department is to minimize the power outages during winters so that the people do not face inconvenience.
The Principal Secretary also directed that the projects under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) and Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) must be completed by end of March 2021 in all towns and immediately handed over to the distribution corporation for installation of meters in these towns to achieve the target of 100% metering.
Kansal also instructed the department functionaries to attend to the grievances and demands of the general public received through the call-centre set up by the Power Development Department.
The meeting also reviewed the revenue realization in the twin districts, and the engineers and other field staff were directed to improve revenue realization and to take action against willful defaulters. Instructions were given for improving billing efficiency and taking action for non-payment of dues against habitual offenders.
Later, Rohit Kansal inspected the ongoing construction of 33/11 KV Galizo Kupwara, Sub Station being constructed under IPDS/PMDP Project. On the occasion, the Principal Secretary was informed that the project is being constructed at a cost of Rs 4.28 crores and shall be completed by January 31, 2021.
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