The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today sanctioned Rs. 1496 crores for strengthening the transmission and distribution network of 47 towns of Punjab having more than 30000 population.Approving the newly framed ambitious plan of Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Program, Mr. Badal said that after achieving the aim of surplus power by December this year, his focus was now ensuring quality power supply to the consumers besides minimizing the transmission and distribution losses. He said that Rs. 1496 crore has been approved for establishment of reliable and automated transmission and distribution systems besides effective usage of information technology for improvement in internal efficiency and in customer services. He asked Secretary Power Mr. Anirudh Tiwari to focus on Sub Transmission System and capacity addition of lines and substations at 66/33 KV Level besides augmentation of new Transmission Structure. Mr. Tiwari informed the Deputy CM that Punjab would be first state to setup Fault Passage Indicators for quick detection of line faults and replacement of all electro magnetic energy meters with electronic meters.
Stressing upon strict quality control in execution of this ambitious project, Mr. Badal said that the project should be handed over to only reputed international companies having sufficient experience in erection of power transmission network. It was informed that 47 towns have been pided into 7 packages and 3 reputed international companies including L&T, M/s Godrej and M/s A2Z have been allocated this work to be carried out through turnkey basis. It was informed that these companies have already conducted the survey and they would complete the work within one year.
L&T, international infrastructure company has been given three major towns of Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Amritsar and meeting approved Rs. 371.71 crore for Ludhiana, Rs. 195.42 crore for Jalandhar and Rs. 246.29 crore for Amritsar. Similarly, Godrej and Boyce Limited has been given responsibility of 20 towns including Nakodar (Rs. 10.08 crore), Tarn Taran (Rs. 16.23 crore), Batala (Rs. 37.97crore), Gurdaspur (Rs. 14.92 crore), Hoshiarpur (Rs. 38.01 crore), Kapurthala (Rs. 20.35 crore), Pathankot (Rs. 25.55 crore), Patti (Rs. 4.30 crore), Phagwara (Rs. 28.99 crore), Barnala (Rs. 14.33 crore), Samana (Rs. 11.82 crore), Sangrur (Rs. 24.56 crore), Sirhind (Rs. 13.44 crore), Sunam (Rs. 12.75 crore), Jagraon (Rs. 12.41 crore), Nabha (Rs. 15.06 crore), Nangal (Rs. 3.35 crore), Rajpura (Rs. 25.23 crore), Kharar (Rs. 10.77 crore) and Malerkotla (Rs. 19.54 crore).
A2Z has been given responsibility of 16 towns including Abohar (Rs. 22.85 crore), Bathinda (Rs. 47.50 crore), Faridkot (Rs. 11.37 crore), Fazilka (Rs. 13.10 crore), Ferozepur Cant (Rs. 10.68 crore), Ferozepur City (Rs. 20.87 crore), Gidderbaha (Rs. 8.33 crore), Kotkapura (Rs. 11.91 crore), Mansa (Rs. 27.96 crore), Jaito (Rs. 8.07 crore), Jalalabad (Rs. 11.11 crore), Malout (Rs. 12.57 crore), Muktsar (Rs.24.30 crore), Rampura Phul (Rs. 8.28 crore), Zira (Rs. 9.76 crore) and Moga (Rs. 35.90 crore).
Mr.Badal also approved Detailed Project Reports for 3 towns including Patiala (Rs.37.92 crore), Dhuri (7.47 crore) and Roop Nagar (6.13 crore). The proposal to upgrade 4 more towns namely Nawan Shahr (Rs. 24.77 crore), Khanna (Rs. 43.42 crore), Mohali (Rs. 31.84 crore) and Jalandhar Cant (Rs. 30.43 crore) has been sent to Power Finance Corporation of India for approval.
Stressing upon complete quality control, Mr. Badal asked the PSPCL to upgrade the system keeping in view growth potential of next 7 years. He said that it was imperative for the Powercom to ensure quality and reliable supply of power to all consumers and reduce breakdowns failures and voltage problems. Prominent amongst those participated in the meeting Mr. DP Reddy, Secretary Finance, Mr. Anirudh Tiwari, Secretary Power, Mr. K.D. Chaudhary, Chairman Powercom and representatives of all three companies.