Decks have been cleared for construction of ten more sub-stations by the Central Power Distribution Company of Andhra Pradesh (CPDCL) within the city limits under the R-APDRP (Restructured Accelerated Power Development Reforms Programme) supported by the Central government.
The company has got possession of sites for construction of 33/11KV sub-stations at Kulsumpura, Saidabad, Khairatabad, Rail Nilayam, Trimulgherry, Road No.13 Banjara Hills, Gaddi Annaram, Musheerabad, Bandlaguda, and Golnaka respectively.
Most of these sites have been acquired with coordination from the district administration and Revenue department, and advance possession has been given to the company for construction of substations.
Tenders will soon be floated for the works, informed T. Srinivas, the Chief General Manager (Master Plan), CPDCL.
These sub-stations will be part of the 64 sub-stations proposed under the R-APDRP for strengthening of the distribution network in the Hyderabad Urban Agglomeration. Funding for the same will be through borrowings from Power Finance Corporation and Central government grant.
Majority of the sites identified and acquired are within the city limits, where space is available only at a premium.
“Our thrust is within the Metro Zone, as space is increasingly becoming scarcer in the city. Wherever we find vacant government land, we are pursuing it. There has been resistance from a few departments, but we are able to convince them,” Mr. Srinivas says.
While the growth in the number of connections is lesser in the city when compared with that of the Ranga Reddy Zone, the increase in the loads has been exceptional for the past few years, due to rapid commercialisation of space, as well as increased consumption across the categories.
“More and more residential areas are turning commercial, resulting in phenomenal increase in loads. Even in households, use of electrical appliances has risen, so has the use of air-conditioners. We need to augment the infrastructure not only to bear the loads, but also to serve as backup during breakdowns,” Mr.Srinivas said.
So far, eight sub-stations respectively at Habsiguda, KIMS, Balapur, Pati Patancheru, Begumpet, Vemana Colony, Gandhamguda, and Bhagath Singh Nagar have been commissioned under the programme.
Two more at Borabanda and Kukatpally respectively are going to be commissioned soon. Work is under progress for nine more at Zamistanpur, Nizam College, Koti Women’s College, Dullapally, Kothapet Fruit Market, Jeedimetla, Mallapur, JNTU and Kaithalapur.
