MSEDCL lines up Rs 11,425 cr upgrade

The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDCL) has chalked out Rs 11,425 crore plan to make power distribution in the state more effective and efficient.

"A sum of Rs 3,500 crore will be spent on renewal and improvement of the system, while the rest will be used for creating new power sub-stations and putting up transformers. As per the plan, the company will provide new power connections to 5.67 lakh agricultural pumps and 32 lakh new power consumers. Till date, the company has given power connection to 25,000 agricultural pumps in the state. MSEDCL will establish 1,706 power sub-stations and put up 77,000 transformers throughout the state in the next few years," said D S Kadam, executive director, MSEDCL.

"Power distribution system of MSEDCL is 40 years old. Hence, an overhaul is necessary to overcome power leakage and theft. This will make the system more effective and efficient. The amount required for the renewal would be raised through loans from Power Finance Corporation," said Kadam.

In the last seven months of MSEDCL's establishment, power leakage has come down to 33 per cent from 35 per cent. Also, the recovery has increased from 90 per cent to 94 per cent. The revenue of the company has also increased by 4.5 per cent.

After the action plan is implemented, power leakage will come down in large extent and reduction in load shedding hours will also be possible to some extent. This will help continuous power supply except load shedding hours.