Karnataka to establish 100 new substations to revolutionize state’s energy infrastructure: KJ George

Mysuru

With a view to enhancing the efficiency of the state's power distribution network, the state is all set to establish 100 new electricity substations and it will be completed within a deadline, said Energy Minister K.J. George.

After chairing the progress review with the district's public representatives here on Wednesday, he told reporters that this project has been envisaged to develop essential infrastructure aimed at delivering reliable and high-quality power supply. In Mysuru district, 44 electricity transmission substations are expected to be completed within two years, ensuring a quality power supply to farmers and the public. Although there is currently no power shortage, a lack of basic infrastructure is causing supply issues. To resolve this, the number of power transmission substations is being increased.

The minister said all necessary steps are being taken to provide proper electricity supply to farmers’ pump sets. Out of the 4 lakh illegal pump sets in the state, 2.5 lakh have been regularized. For pump sets located within 500 meters of feeders, the department will provide transformers. For pump sets located beyond 500 meters, solar pump sets will be provided under the Kusum-B scheme. Similarly, under the Kusum-C scheme, feeder solarization is being implemented to ensure adequate daytime power supply to farmers.

George said the state government has set a target of generating 2,400 megawatts of solar power through feeder solarization of agricultural pump sets under the Kusum-C scheme. On June 11, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will inaugurate the solar power plant established under the Kusum scheme at Thondebhavi in Gauribidanur.

Free electricity up to 10 HP to continue

He clarified that linking Aadhaar with the RR numbers of agricultural pump sets has sparked rumours about discontinuing free electricity and said the process aims to verify the amount of electricity supplied to farmers and the number of existing connections. Free electricity will continue for agricultural pump sets up to 10 HP and that farmers will receive a proper seven-hour electricity supply and there is no need for any doubts regarding this matter.

The minister said in Mysuru district, the Gruha Jyothi scheme has been 99 per cent successful. Through this scheme, the state government is providing ₹9,000 crore annually to all ESCOMs. If an electricity transformer breaks down, it will be repaired within 24 hours in urban areas and within 48 hours in rural areas. After the Chief Minister recently visited the haadis (tribal hamlets), necessary steps have been taken to supply electricity to them, and required infrastructure has been developed. Arrangements have been made to supply electricity to more than 600 haadi households.

Narasimharaja Assembly Constituency MLA Tanveer Sait said that Mysuru is a rapidly growing city, and CESC must prioritize resource mobilization. Under the Ganga Kalyana scheme, electricity connection should be provided immediately after borewells are drilled. In drinking water supply schemes, due to overload in pump houses, power trips are occurring. These issues must be resolved.

Krishnaraja Assembly Constituency MLA T.S.Srivatsa requested for a greater attention to the electricity supply problems affecting drinking water distribution. He also gathered information regarding underground power cables in the city.

Responding to this, George said not just in Mysuru city, but across the entire district, necessary steps will be taken to ensure proper electricity supply. Attention will also be given to avoiding power problems in pump houses. CESC officials should meet public representatives, take their suggestions, and work accordingly.

Additional Chief Secretary of the Energy Department, Gaurav Gupta said, steps have been taken to provide electricity during the daytime in forest fringe areas. Measures have also been taken to ensure that there are no issues in regions where there is human-wildlife conflict.

The meeting was attended by MLAs G.T. Devegowda, K. Harish Gowda, D. Ravishankar, MLCs K. Vivekananda, Dr. D. Thimmaiah, KPCL Managing Director Pankaj Kumar Pandey, Deputy Commissioner Lakshmikant Reddy, Zilla Panchayat CEO Yukesh Kumar, CESC Managing Director K.M. Munigopal Raju, Guarantee Implementation Committee Vice President Dr. Pushpa Amarnath, Arun Kumar, and others.

Energy Minister K.J.George holding a review meeting in Mysuru. He is flanked by ACS Energy Department Gaurav Gupta and MLA G.T.Devegowda.

 Box

 "The energy department's schemes have been properly implemented under the Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) jurisdiction. Due to the rains, there was considerable damage in several areas under CESC limits. Hazardous locations were identified, and emergency works have been undertaken and completed. The underground cabling work in Mysuru city is in progress and will be completed within the next two years." – K.M. Munigopal Raju, Managing Director, CESC, said.