AP plans rapid infrastructure development in power sector

Hyderabad, July 20 : In order to provide quality and reliable power supply to all categories of consumers, the power utilities of Government of Andhra Pradesh have initiated all possible measures for rapid infrastructure development in the power sector, which will enhance the economical growth of the State.

As a part of these numerous programmes, the Government has suggested the power utilities to put up special efforts to expedite the implementation of Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY), High Voltage Distribution System (HVDS) and Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (R-APDRP) within the stipulated time.

Disclosing the above details, Energy Department Secretary Ajay Jain, while reviewing the above programmes in the context of receiving letter from BN Sharma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Power, Govt. of India, with regard to the above major programmes, said that both the rural & urban consumers will be given equal priority by the Govt./power utilities in providing quality power. That’s why Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu is very particular about the successful implementation of proposed 24 X 7 PFA scheme for domestic, commercial and industrial categories apart from providing 9 hours power supply to agriculture sector.

While appreciating the efforts of AP Govt./utilities in taking serious steps on prestigious programme of 24 X 7 PFA, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Power, said in his letter to Secretary, Energy, the present level of availability of power in rural areas is a cause of concern and is being discussed in all parliamentary committee meetings. In addition to this, making power available 24 X 7 is the long cherished goal of the Govt. To understand the status of present level of rural supply in the country for better policy making, centre has requested AP Govt. to share the data/information pertaining to the segregation of feeders. The Joint Secretary also informed the State Govt. of AP, that the Ministry of Power, Govt. of India will fully support the Urban & Rural infrastructure in power sector through the schemes like RGGVY & R-APDRP etc, to ensure better services to the consumers.

In the meanwhile, K Vijayanand, MD/APGENCO & CMD/APTRANSCO (FAC) has directed the CMDs of DISCOMs H.Y. Dora & Seshagiri Babu to expedite the above three programmes which will not only helps in improving energy efficiency and also to avoid the disparity between Rural & Urban electricity consumers with regard to the infrastructure development & providing quality power.

The Centre has approved Rs. 35,447 Crs for implementation of RGGVY scheme throughout the Country. As part of this, AP DISCOMs have proposed for electrification of 4.28 lakh BPL rural households with necessary infrastructure in 10,756 Nos. villages with an outlay of Rs.330 Crores under 12th plan. The Govt./Utilities are set to implement vigorously the HVDS to 46,727 Nos. agricultural services in 7 Districts (Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam, Anatapur, Kurnool, Kadapa & Chittoor) at an estimated cost of around Rs.295 Crores under Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) funding to ensure quality power supply to Farming sector & reduction in Transmission & Distribution (T&D) losses.  INN