System strengthening: Northeast states lead in power supply infra push

The Centre’s flagship programme on urban power reforms — the Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) — has achieved a high success rate of 90 per cent completion in the seven northeastern states as of January 2021.
 
Under system strengthening, which entails construction of last mile power supply infrastructure, the physical progress is 86 per cent in the region. This is the highest across the country, said official sources.
 
The system strengthening portion of IPDS will conclude in March 2021. Officials in the ministry of power said 100 per cent progress will be achieved under system strengthening by end of the fiscal year. Assam, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Manipur have already achieved 100 per cent progress in project award for system strengthening.
 
Other states that have awarded 100 per cent of system strengthening projects are Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan. Physical progress of these states was not available. Awarded amount reflects that the states have appointed contractors or project management agencies (PMAs) for the projects that are under implementation.
 
For the northeast, most of the PMAs are central government agencies such as REC Power Distribution Company (RECPDCL), WAPCOS and National Power Training Institute (NPTI).
 
Launched in 2015, IPDS is the flagship scheme of the Centre for improving electricity infrastructure in urban areas and introduction of smart meters and IT systems in power supply. Central grant under IPDS is 60 per cent and 85 per cent for special category states, including the North-East. “Power reliability has improved significantly in the northeast with implementation of the IPDS schemes. Power supply, in even far flung areas, is better,” said an official.

 
Peak power deficit during April-November 2020 period — that indicated demand-supply gap — stands 5.7 per cent. In 2015, it stood at 8.4 per cent. The official further said as the North-East states have concluded one portion of IPDS, others would also be implemented swiftly. “Smart metering is already moving fast in these states. IT infrastructure is also being built in sync. Northeast will show the way in urban power reforms,” said a senior official.
 
Under IPDS, system strengthening and smart metering have an estimated outlay of Rs 32,612 crore, including a budgetary support of Rs 25,354 crore, from the Centre during the entire implementation period.
 
For the other works, such as IT enablement and underground cabling, were given budgetary support of Rs 22,727 crore. During the Union Budget 2020-21, IPDS was given an additional budgetary allocation by Rs 5,300 crore.