Maharashtra Govt To Spend Rs 2500 Crore On Power Infrastructure Development
Mumbai, January 15, 2021: The state energy department would spend Rs 2500 Cr per annum for infrastructure development for state-owned distribution company Mahavitaran (MSEDCL). Of it, Rs 1500 Cr would be spent on energization of agriculture pumps by conventional method and Rs 1000 Cr for strengthening infrastructure in industrial and urban areas.
Addressing a review meeting of the Mahavitaran officials on Thursday at Prakashgad Mumbai, Energy Minister Dr Nitin Raut said the funds would be spent for infrastructure development including erection of new substations, installation of distribution transformers and construction of HT and LT lines.
“The MVA Government is trying to attract industries by strengthening and creating more power infrastructure in MIDC areas. Rs 3000 Cr would be spent in the next three years to strengthen infrastructure in urban and industrial areas including the addition of new substations, new lines would be constructed and many more transformers would be installed,” Dr Raut informed.
To implement this major plan and his vision, he has directed all Regional Directors to finalise a time-bound action plan in a week.
“We have focussed on infrastructure development in the industrial sector. We will spend Rs.800 crore for power infrastructure development in Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) areas in the state in the next 3 years. We will spend Rs. 1000 crore in next 3 years to set up new sub-stations, new transformers and bifurcation of existing Sub- Divisions. Apart from this, we will spend Rs.1,200 crore in the next 3 years to strengthen the power infrastructure in urban areas,” Dr Raut added.
He said his office was in receipt of several letters from MPs, MLAs and public as well demanding to strengthen the distribution network and address the issues related to the power supply in their respective areas. Therefore, he has decided to make dedicated financial provision for this.
He said as consumer numbers increased, there needed to create more sub-divisional offices by bifurcating the existing ones
having more consumers above the norms.
Regularisation of unauthorized electricity connections of agriculture pumps
Energy minister has also directed MSEDCL to regularise all unauthorized agriculture pump connections within 30-meter distance from electric supply pole till 26 January.
As per government estimates, there are 4.85 lakh unauthorized agriculture pump connections. Out of this, 30 percent are within 30 meter from electric supply pole.
Dr Raut has directed officials to regularise all these connections till March 31, this year. “The Government would energize agriculture pumps by the conventional method by spending Rs 1500 Cr per annum. At the same time and in addition to this, it would implement the new agriculture and renewable energy policies in which solar-based agriculture pumps would be installed and solar power would be made available to farmers during day time,” Dr Raut said.
