Big Rs 603cr push to modernise city’s power grid, curb outages

Nagpur: The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) is preparing an ambitious 602.98-crore infrastructure upgrade plan aimed at modernising the power supply system across Nagpur district. The project is expected to significantly reduce tripping incidents, voltage fluctuations and unscheduled power cuts in the coming years.As per senior MSEDCL officials, large-scale investment has been planned due to urban expansion, industrial growth and rising summer temperatures. The project will receive financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The details were reviewed during a meeting chaired by revenue minister and guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule.TOI has regularly reported how the increased power distribution load was leading to outages, which can be handled with upgradation of the system.CE Dilip Dodke presented a detailed overview of the district's existing power infrastructure. Currently, Nagpur district has 190 operational 33 KV substations and a sanctioned manpower strength of 3,827 employees.The network includes 564 feeders of 33 KV capacity spread over 2,213 km and another 564 feeders of 11 KV capacity covering nearly 12,778 km. The system also comprises 319 power transformers, 34,770 distribution transformers and over 32,184 km of low-tension lines supplying electricity to around 1,840 villages across the district.Officials said under the plan, 21 new extra high-voltage 33/11 KV substations will be established, including 9 within city and 12 in rural areas. To improve power quality and ensure uninterrupted supply, MSEDCL will install 405 new distribution transformers. The project also includes construction of 156 km of new overhead power lines and nearly 300 km of underground cabling. As per officials, underground network will help minimise outages during monsoon, storm-related disruptions.