Power sub-station iugurated at Panpatty

With commissioning of this power distribution centre, people will definitely get relief from power cuts: Dilip Paul

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

SILCHAR, Sept 25: The people Barak Valley in general and Silchar in particular have been hit hard by frequent bouts of power cuts and load-shedding without any intimation from the company. This has been an irritating phenomenon and hard pressed bill payers have been on the path of agitation for improvement in the situation.

 Dilip Kumar Paul, Deputy Speaker, who iugurated the 33/11 KV new sub-station at Panpatty in the heart of this town today, said before the assembly of consumers “With the commissioning of this power distribution centre, people will definitely get relief from power cuts and load-shedding. My government has given priority to power sector, health, education, connectivity and safe drinking water and with this in mind all out efforts are being made to change the socio-economic scerio.”

 The Deputy Speaker, who was the chief guest on the occasion, expressed his hope and confidence that the coming days will see the change for betterment of all sections of people in order to make them realize that the present government is a government of words and not promises. The iuguration and commissioning of the sub-station was done in the presence of Rajendra Deka, chief general mager (distribution), Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL), central Assam.

 Deka have all appreciation for his men in the APDCL for working hard to keep the power line undisturbed, besides giving effect to the plans for improvement. “My men have no rest even during the coming festive days to ensure regular power supply and celebration of Durga puja in a spirit of joy and mirth”, he added.

 Gour Gopal Saha, deputy general mager, APDCL, said the sub-station has been constructed under Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (R-APDRP) and the construction company entrusted with the job is NICCON Power and Infra Ltd. He pointed out it is the initiative and efforts of Niranjan Paul, assistant general mager, that this power station can become a reality. It has been possible with 90% loan from R-APDRP and 10% grant. Certain areas with concentrated population which used to be fed power from the Meherpur and Sriko sub-stations would now be covered by this Panpatty sub-station.

 The sub-station at Panpatty has been fitted with two 10 MVA transformers for uninterrupted and better services. The ever growing human numbers and the resultant consumers are expected to get great relief both in the sultry hot days of summer and the chilly hours of winter. Besides bringing cheers for the people of this town, the inhabitants of Beranga, Madhurbond, Meherpur and Sriko on the suburb, will also have better days. Sushmita Dev, MP, who reached the programme at the fag end, iugurated the feeder line to Beranga that will be digitally operated. She laid stress on operatiol and maintence aspects for services to consumers without any technical glitz.

 Sushin th, former chief general mager of APDCL, took the audience back to the days of 1927 when the private Boroda Das Power Company Limited installed the German made machine near his residence beside the Goldighi where now has come up shopping mall and Big Bazar in this town. The coal powered German made machine supplied round the clock power to this town in a limited manner and in 1958 the Government of Assam signed an agreement with this Company to improve the infrastructure and provide connection to every household. It is significant to note that just a week ago of the installation of the machine by Boroda Das Power Company Limited, the first such machine came up in Tezpur of the state.

 It is also relevant to note that the Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (R-APDRP) started in 2008 is a revised version of the Accelerated Power Development Reforms Programme (APDRP). The APDRP scheme was initiated in 2002-03 as Additiol Central Assistance to States for reducing the Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT & C) losses in the power sector, Aggregate Technical and Commercial Loss captures the total loss in the distribution network. APDRP scheme was restructured as a Central Sector Scheme and remed as R-APDRP. The Power Fince Corporation (PFC) is the nodal agency to operatiolize the scheme under the guidance of Ministry of Power.