Power development works in Pune zone to get a boost
7 Jul 2009, TNN

PUNE: Infrastructure development projects planned by the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) in Pune city and the
rural circles are expected to get a boost following a 160 per cent increase (Rs 2,080 crore) in allocations for the accelerated power development and reforms programme (APDRP) in the Union Budget 2009-2010.

MSEDCL officials said the increased allocations will help improve the power supply and distribution infrastructure in the Pune zone. Power interruptions and voltage problems will also reduce, they added.

In the first phase of the APDRP, in 2003, Pune zone had been allocated Rs 128 crore for various works like installing single- and three-phase static meters, and metering of 5,760 transformers. The state completed APDRP projects worth Rs 1,200 crore in the first and the second phase.

In addition, the Rs 7,000-crore budget allocation under the Rajiv Gandhi Rural Electrification Scheme will mean faster completion of work in Pune rural at the cost of Rs 19 crore for 2009-10.

According to MSEDCL officials, tenders for infrastructure works in the Parvati and Padmavati divisions, worth Rs 130 crore, will be finalised this month and work will commence immediately after that. Works worth Rs 95 crore in the Pimpri and Shivajinagar divisions have also been started, which include three sub-stations and four switching centres. Three new sub-stations will come up in the Ahmednagar road and Rasta Peth divisions while the existing sub-stations will be upgraded at a cost of Rs 140 crore.

Meanwhile, the customs duty reduction of 2.5 per cent on magnets required for putting up windmills is not expected to have a significant impact. Rajendra Kharul, head, centre for wind energy at the city-based World Institute of Sustainable Energy, said the cost of the magnets formed just 3 to 4 per cent of the total cost of putting up a windmill. The major cost components are generators, towers and plates, he pointed out, adding that setting up a windmill costs around Rs 6 crore.