The residents of Muvattupuzha town can now hope for uninterrupted power supply, thanks to a novel initiative by the Kerala State Electricity Board.
The township, located on the eastern outskirts of the district, becomes the first in Kerala to receive a full-fledged Aerial Bunched Cable (ABC) power distribution network. The cable network, laid at a cost of Rs.1.33 crore, covers a total length of 9 kilometres starting from Pezhakappally 110 KV substation.
The cable, routed along the existing power line and laid using special clamps and stay wires, has become operational as an alternative power distribution system from Thursday onwards. According to Joseph Vazhekkan, MLA, the proposal to bring the city under the ABC network was mooted as part of the Restructured Accelerated Power Distribution and Reforms Programme (R- APDRP). “The government also sanctioned an initial fund of Rs. 1 crore from the National Electricity Fund for its implementation but the project got delayed on account of various reasons,” he said. After the initial hiccups, the project was awarded to a Bangalore-based agency on a turnkey basis, which commenced the project in December last year. The cable laying works were completed last month and after a number of trail runs, the network was energised on February 27. Arial Bunched Cables are laid overhead using several insulated phase conductors bound together, with a bare neutral conductor. This contrasts with the traditional practice of using un-insulated conductors separated by air gaps.
Officials of the Kerala State Electricity Board said the system would ensure quality power and also help the distribution company in restoring power supply quickly.
Aerial Bunched Cable power distribution network has become operational from Thursday.
