The Kerala State Electricity Board has added 70 transformers to the city's power distribution network this year.
The maximum number of transformers were erected at Peroorkada and Manacaud followed by Poojappura, Vattiyoorkavu and Thiruvallom, a press note issued here by the KSEB said.
During 2006-07, only four transformers were installed in the city. Till now the maximum number of transformers installed in a year had not crossed 27. The board was also able, in 2009, to add 220 km of 11KV underground cables under the APDRP scheme.
Once the laying of underground cables is completed, many places in the city, including Poojappura, Thirumala, Peroorkada, Pappanamcode and Kaimanam, will get power from underground cables.
The supply of 11KV from the board's substation at Vizhinjam now comes to the city via an underground cable and acts as a standby to the normal distribution network.
The first underground cable and transformer installed at Valiasala Gramam was inaugurated on May 4 by MLA V. Sivankutty, the press note said. The village being a thickly populated area, the board found it difficult to lay the cables and erect the transformer. The whole exercise cost the exchequer Rs.23.5 lakh.
This year, 96 km of overhead power lines were replaced to ensure the safety and integrity of the distribution network.
The aluminium cables are prone to degeneration, particularly in the coastal areas. As part of its interactive perspective planning programme, the board now involves various stakeholders while taking decision on its projects. It has also given more powers to field engineers to tackle voltage-related problems.
In view of the power requirements during the upcoming Uroos festival at Beemapally, the board will install a new transformer at the Jawaharpally area during May itself, the press note added.
