MSEDCL to set up 2 power sub-stations

NASHIK: Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL), the state power utility, has been given grant-in-aid by the state government for the construction of power sub-stations and feeders required for Kumbh Mela next year.
The company will raise two instead of three sub-stations following the Nashik Municipal Corporattion’s refusal to provide land near Amar Dham.
In a resolution passed on June 20, the Maharashtra government had announced that the urban development department (UDD) would give Rs 25.41 crore to MSEDCL.The transfer of funds is likely to be completed by the end of this week.
The power company had proposed work worth Rs 25.41 crore for the Kumbh, including setting up of three substations and laying of feeders to make power available for temporary and permanent infrastructure being raised in the heart of the city during religious festival. The substations were to be located at Tapovan, Ganeshwadi and Amar Dham.
“The power company requires a fund of Rs 25.41 crore for the required work. It has been decided that the UDD will hand over the required funds to the power company now so that work does not get stuck. The same funds shall be allotted to the UDD by the planning department when it plans the budget for the energy department for 2015-16,” the resolution said.
The power company has to take the permission of the Maharashtra Energy Regulatory Commission (MERC) for any expenditure.
“We were doubtful about MERC allowing us to spend on the infrastructure focused for a single event, even as it opened up new channels of business and power supply to new customers. By regular means, it would take four to five years to have all these things in place. During consultations with senior government officials, there was emphasis on funds being borrowed now,” a senior MSEDCL official said.
The proposal for the funds was forwarded to the respective offices and secretary of the energy department, but there was no movement on the same.
With the government finding a solution, the company was able to bring in the funds for the work, complete them and absorb the infrastructure. The repayment of the same was taken over by the planning department.
The company has now received the funds with which it can take up the work related to Kumbh full steam. However, with the NMC declining transfer of land at Amar Dham, MSEDCL will raise only two substations instead of three. This has forced the power company to increase the capacity of its substation at Ganeshwadi.
“The additional power demand for Kumbh Mela is 30 MVA and we had decided to raise three substations. Since the NMC has denied us the transfer of land at Amar Dham, we have decided to construct a 20 MVA substation at Ganeshwadi and a 10 MVA substation at Tapovan for better power management,” said RD Chavan, superintending engineer, MSEDCL.
The officer pointed out that land would be transferred by the NMC after its standing committee approves the same and that the MSEDCL would not be paying the civic body.