A major project to ensure 3500MW power to the State is on the anvil to provide a permanent solution to the power shortage in Kerala, Electricity Minister A.K. Balan said.
Inaugurating work on the Rs.42 crore renovation project for the Kuttanad Region Power Distribution Network at Chathurthyakari near Mankombu here on Saturday, Mr. Balan said this project would have two units, one a 2,400MW plant at Cheemeni in Kasaragod and the other, a 1,100MW plant based in Orissa.
The State was also aiming at total electrification of all the Assembly constituencies, as part of which 11 constituencies were already declared totally electrified. The target was 100 constituencies by the end of this Government’s tenure. The project would move smoothly if the three-tier panchayat system and public representatives acted enthusiastically. The Kerala State Electricity Board would provide each constituency with Rs.1 crore for the purpose, he said.
The Minister, who said the State had saved 40MW of power in the last season by distributing 10 lakh CFL lamps, added that Electricity Adalats would be conducted in areas where there were complaints over power supply and low voltage issues. Eleven sub-stations were also being set up in Alappuzha, six of which were already completed.
The renovation project for the Kuttanad power network aims at improving supply in the Kainakary, Edathua, Mankombu, Thakazhi and Kidangara sections by repairing 11KV lines, transformers, pumping stations and electric posts among others.
Thomas Chandy, MLA, presided. Kodikunnil Suresh, MP, KSEB chairman Rajeev Sadanandan and District Panchayat president R. Nazar also spoke.
Mr. Balan later inaugurated a 110KV Sub-Station at Kanjikuzhy to ensure power to industries including coir, agriculture, aquaculture and seafood processing units in Cherthala. Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac presided over. K.C. Venugopal, MP and Mr. Nazar also spoke.
