State to have 100 new electricity substations: Energy Minister K J George

Energy Minister K J George said that they have come up with a detailed project report (DPR) to relocate electric lines on the land acquired for the expansion of the Mysuru Airport. 

Speaking to media persons after a progress review meeting on works of CESC under Mysuru district, in the city on Wednesday, George said that he has held meetings in 26 districts, so far. “Once I cover all districts, I will hold another round of meetings across the state, to check the implementation of the measures suggested. I had directed the engineers to meet the respective MLAs and resolve the issues highlighted by them within a fixed time frame.”

George said, “We have invited tenders to generate 2400 MW solar power under PM KUSUM C in Karnataka, for irrigation pumpsets feeder. On June 11, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will inaugurate the solar power plant at Thondebhavi in Gauribidanur.”

He said, “Out of 4 lakh illegal pump sets in the state, 2.5 lakh have been regularised. For the pump sets located within 500 meters of the feeders, the CESC will provide transformers. For pump sets located beyond 500 meters, solar power will be provided under the Kusum-B scheme. Similarly, under Kusum-C scheme, feeder solarization is being implemented to ensure adequate daytime power supply to farmers.”

He said, “Currently there is no power shortage, but a lack of basic infrastructure is causing issues. To resolve this, Karnataka is set to establish 100 new substations, including 44 in Mysuru, within two years, to enhance the efficiency of the power distribution network.”
 
He said, “The hurdles to provide electricity to tribal hamlets has been cleared, after the chief minister recently visited them. Steps have been taken to develop infrastructure required to supply electricity to over 600 tribal households.”

Additional Chief Secretary for Energy Gaurav Gupta said, “Steps have been taken to provide electricity during daytime in the forest areas. Measures have been taken to ensure that there are no issues in regions where there is human-wildlife conflict.”

The minister said that the linking of Aadhaar with the RR numbers of irrigation pumpsets has sparked rumours about discontinuing free electricity. “The process aims to assess the quantum of electricity supplied to farmers and the number of existing connections. Free electricity will continue for agriculture pump sets up to 10 HP with a proper seven-hour supply,” he said. 
 
“In Mysuru district, the Gruha Jyothi scheme has been 99% successful. Through this scheme, the state government is providing Rs 9,000 crore annually to all ESCOMs. If an electricity transformer breaks down, it will be repaired within 24 hours in urban areas and within 48 hours in rural areas,” the minister said.

KPCL Managing Director Pankaj Kumar Pandey, DC G Lakshmikant Reddy, Zilla Panchayat CEO Yukesh Kumar and CESC M D K M Munigopal Raju participated in the meeting. MLAs Tanveer Sait, G T Devegowda, K Harish Gowda, D Ravishankar, T S Srivatsa, MLCs K Vivekananda, D Thimmaiah, and Guarantee Schemes Implementation Authority vice-chairperson Pushpa Amarnath were present.