Kupwara October 12 (KNS): To cater to the increasing power demand in the frontier district of Kupwara, specifically during winters, the district administration is poised to commission 80 MVA Grid Capacity to augment existing 140 MVA power, giving a hope for a better power supply this winter across the district.
The district has earlier recorded peak demand of 230 MW, however the supply has been around 100 MW, thus the district was short of around 127MW, resulting in the power outages in the several areas
To overcome the shortage the district has completed the grid stations at Arampora and Villgam to develop 80-MVA Grid capacity to add existing 140 MVA, now the total capacity by the end of this year will be 220 MVA.
Construction of 1x6.3 MVA Receiving Station at Keran, Construction of 1x6.3 MVA Receiving Station at Machil and Construction of 1x6.3 MVA Receiving Station at Teethwal. Completion of power projects at the zero line areas is a major feat that the administration has achieved so far to improve the power supply.
The district administration has also made the excitation of 1x10 MVA at Galizoo Kupwara (PMDP-Urban) and 1x 10 MVA Hyhama Kupwara (PMDP- Rural) and Construction of 33/11 KV, 1x6.3 MVA, Receiving Station at Puhroopeth this year in August.
To ensure adequate power supply in the district, DC Kupwara has sought weekly feedback of ongoing projects, also about the two sub stations coming up in far flung areas of Machil and Keran at a cost of Rs 75 lakh and Rs 35 lakh respectively, where under new habitations Katwara, Misri Behak in Machil and Naga Khaitan, Tirngdiyan, Gogeldori, Brandajhi in Keran were electrified.
DC also directed his officers to gear up for augmentation of buffer stock of transformers to meet the requirements during the winter season so that people do not face any inconvenience.
He also asked them to develop a mechanism for containing power theft and other illegal practices with which transformers get damaged.
Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) division Kupwara has around 205 projects out of that 113 are under execution, similarly Handwara division has around 250 projects, where 100 projects are under execution. The completion of all these works, will add a new age to the power supply of district Kupwara.
In the CAPEX Budget under ower sector, 476 works have been approved at a cost of Rs.2279 lakh against which 339 works have been accorded administrative approval and were allotted. The deadline of November for completion of 180 works has been set by DC Kupwara, following which the development works got momentum as being ensured the works get executed on proper time given to them.
The Divisional Workshop is also being constructed in Tikker, Kupwara for an estimated amount of Rs: 70.35 Lacs. With it's completion, the repairment of damaged transformers will become an overnight, timely task.
The KPDCL also formulated plan to strengthen the buffer transformer bank of the district at both the divisions Handwara and Kupwara to ensure timely replacement of damaged transformers and smooth power supply in winter.
The administration is setting the new standards in project, planning and execution. These measures will not only resolve the power crisis during peak season but will also open a host of employment opportunities by meeting the growing demand for the opening of new small business units.
Notably, Kupwara achieved a major milestone under Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana ‘Saubhagya’ with accomplishing the 100 percent target of rural electrification.(KNS)