Himachal CM bats for reliable power transmission for hills

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Thursday favoured a separate strategy to develop cost-effective and reliable power transmission for the hilly areas to ensure uninterrupted power supply.

Speaking at the national conference jointly organised by the Central Board of Irrigation and Power, CIGRE-India and Himachal Pradesh Power Transmission Corporation Ltd here, he said the power sector in the country is growing at a fast pace.

"This conference would provide a forum for open discussions and exchange of information on state-of-the-art technology as it is very necessary for the professionals to capture the latest knowledge and innovations to keep pace with the advancements taking place in this sector."

Thakur said slope stability, landslide and avalanche issues and solutions thereof needed to be redressed effectively.

He said the state power transmission corporation is developing transmission systems for hydro projects in the state.

He said laying transmission lines in the hilly areas is difficult as compared to plains and, therefore, special strategies need to be chalked out for providing reliable and cost-effective power supply.

Hydropower projects in the state with total capacity of about 10,000 MW are in different stages of execution and efforts are being made to ensure that all these projects get started at the earliest, Thakur said.

Himachal Pradesh became fully electrified in 1988 and now the government is focusing on quality and uninterrupted power supply.

He said that efforts were also being made for effective power evacuation from completed power projects.

The Chief Minister said efforts are also being made to promote solar power potential and he is in favour of providing solar lights in the villages.

Speaking on the occasion, Additional Chief Secretary Shrikant Baldi said the state so far has harnessed 10,500 MW potential.

Central Board of Irrigation and Power Director P.P. Wahi said it is vital that a proper strategy is framed for meeting out the challenges for construction of transmission lines particularly in hilly areas.

--IANS

vg/nir