Nine hour power supply to farm sector begins in Palamur

Mahbubnagar: The State government has allotted Rs 81 crore to Mahbubnagar district for providing three-phase power to the farm sector. The nine-hour free power to the farm sector has begun from April 1. The improved power supply to the farm sector along with Deendayal Upadyaya Grama Jyothi (DUGYS) and Integrated power development schemes (IPDS), according to experts, will facilitate improve farm production in the district.

“From Ugadi we have decided provide free power in two phases. As per farmers request we will supply power for six hours during daytime and three hours during night-time. For this we have enhanced the feeder capacity and accordingly divided the existing sub-stations for periodical supply of free power to the farmers. Already the directions have been issued to all the sub-stations for supplying free power as per the new schedule,” said Ramudu, Superintendent Engineer, Electricity department, Mahabubnagar.

For supplying free power to the farming sector, the authorities had set up 679 feeders and divided them into three categories. With this over 2.49 lakh farm connections are now getting free power from this month. But the severity of the dry spell and depleting groundwater table has led to drastic fall in consumption of power from 16.4 million units in the past to 14.64 million units this year.

“The power consumption has not increased in the district for the past one year. The district has an allocation of 14.54 units and we are able to meet our requirements with no further demand,” said Srinivasulu, Deputy Director (technical) Electricity Department.

Meanwhile, the Central government allocated Rs 189.85 crore for the purpose of comprehensive electrification project to be taken up in villages and towns. While the Centre released Rs 101.35 crore under the Dean Dayal Upadya Gramajyothi scheme, as much as Rs 88.50 crore was allocated under the IPDS scheme for improving the power facilities in the towns.

There are about 234 villages, colonies and hamlets that are yet to be electrified in Mahbubnagar district. According to the officials of Electricity Department these funds would be spent to set up new 33KV substations, improving the capacities of existing substations, developing new lines, installing poles and other related works. “It is a good development that both the State and Central governments are taking measures to improve the power supply to the villages.

The officials are taking steps to improve the “capacitor power banks” and installing new feeders to implement the project. The Central government scheme would be launched and the entire project would be completed in five years, said an official. Under the urban power development scheme, the district authorities have chosen 12 cities and major towns for upgrading the power supply infrastructure. New power lines, new meters and upgrading works on the existing sub-stations will be taken up in Wanaparthy, Kalwakurthy, Gadwal, Shadnagar, Nagarkurnool, Narayanpeta, Achempeta, IJa, Kollapur, Kothakota and Jadcherla mandals.