100 new power sub-stations proposed in State: George

In a move to improve the efficiency of the State's power distribution network, Karnataka is set to establish 100 new sub-stations. The ambitious project is expected to be completed within the designated timeline, according to Energy Minister K.J. George.
After a progress review meeting with the district's public representatives here on Wednesday, the Minster told reporters that the project had been conceptualised to develop essential infrastructure aimed at delivering reliable and high-quality power supply.
In Mysuru district alone, 44 power transmission substations were expected to be commissioned within two years, ensuring quality power supply to farmers and the public. Although there was currently no power shortage, lack of basic infrastructure was causing supply issues. To resolve this, the number of power transmission substations was being increased, Mr. George said.
All steps were being taken to provide reliable electricity supply to farmers' pumpsets. Of the 4 lakh illegal pumpsets in the State, 2.5 lakh had been regularised. For pumpsets located within 500 metres of feeders, the department would provide transformers. For pumpsets located beyond 500 metres, solar pump sets would be provided under the Kusum-B scheme, the Minister said.
Solar power
Mr. George said the government had set a target of generating 2,400 megawatts of solar power through feeder solarisation of agricultural pumpsets under the Kusum-C scheme. On June 11, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would inaugurate the solar power plant established under the Kusum scheme at Thondebhavi in Gauribidanur.
The Energy Minister said that linking Aadhaar with the RR numbers of agricultural pumpsets had sparked rumours about discontinuing free electricity, and clarified that the process aimed at verifying the amount of electricity supplied to farmers and the number of existing connections.
He assured that free electricity would continue for agricultural pumpsets up to 10 HP and that farmers would receive a proper seven-hour electricity supply.
The Minister said after the Chief Minister recently visited the haadis (tribal hamlets), steps had been taken to supply electricity to them, and required infrastructure was being developed. Steps had been made to supply electricity to more than 600 haadi households, he said.
During the meeting, MLA Tanveer Sait said Mysuru was a rapidly growing city, and CESC should prioritise resource mobilisation. Under the Ganga Kalyana scheme, electricity connection should be provided immediately after borewells were drilled. In drinking water supply schemes, due to overload in pump houses, frequent power trips was occurring, he said.
MLA Srivatsa sought greater attention to the electricity supply problems affecting drinking water distribution. In response, Mr. George said steps will be taken to ensure proper electricity supply not just in Mysuru city, but across the district.
Additional Chief Secretary of the Energy Department Gaurav Gupta said steps had been taken to provide electricity during the daytime in forest fringe areas. Measures had been taken to ensure that there were no issues in regions where there was human-wildlife conflict.
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, and others were present.

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