NASHIK: Undeterred by the civic body's latest resolution not to give land free of cost to the state power utility for construction of sub-stations, the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) has begun started setting up of the facilities on both the plots.
"The construction of substations at Tapovan and Ganeshwadi has begun after the land was transferred to the MSEDCL vide the urban development department's orders," a senior MSEDCL official said.
The MSEDCL had sought three plots where it wanted to raise three sub-stations of 10 MVA capacity each to meet the demand of 30 MVA for next year's Kumbh Mela. The three substations raised now were expected to benefit the citizens in the area for future demands as well.
While the MSEDCL had said the land identified at Ganeshwadi, Tapovan and Amar Dham be handed over to the company free of cost, the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) had adopted a resolution that the power utility would have to pay for it. The urban development department, however, overruled the NMC's resolution and handed over land in Tapovan and Ganeshwadi. The MSEDCL is planning to set up 20 MVA sub-station at Ganeshwadi.
After Ashok Murtadak was elected the new mayor of the city, the NMC again adopted a resolution asking the MSEDCL either to pay for the land, or take it on lease. The civic body said the power utility could also give a piece of land that the MSEDCL owed.
MSEDCL, officials, however said the land was handed over to it and hence the work has begun. "As far as the latest resolution in concerned that has appeared in media, we are unaware of the NMC's moves. The urban development department and the state government will decide on the issues," an official said.
The official added that the work on raising of transformers has begun on a large scale in the city as well as Trimbakeshwar - the other venue of the Kumbh Mela.
The MSEDCL has chalked out a Rs 24.79 crore-plan for supply augmentation in Nashik city and Trimbakeshwar for Kumbh Mela, while construction of 33/11 KV substations has begun at Tapovan and Ganeshwadi as well. Power supply lines coming in and going out have been installed and the work on substations has started.
In Nashik city, the MSEDCL has decided to install seven new transformers and augment the capacity of 11 existing transformers. Trimbakeshwar, on the other hand, will get 14 new transformers.