Extra high tension power soon

HYDERABAD: The AP Power Transmission Corporation (APTransco) is  constructing five 220 kV and six 132 kV gas-insulated and conventional substations under the special scheme to modernise and strengthen the extra-high tension (EHT) transmission system in the Greater Hyderabad area. These substations will meet the ever-increasing demand and provide quality power in the twin cities. The works are being taken up with funding from the Japanese Bank of International Co-operation Agency (JICA) and the Power Finance Corporation (PFC). According to APTransco chairman and managing director Ajay Jain, the  work taken up in Phase II of underground EHT cabling system with connected substations in the GHMC area is in full swing. Keeping in view the rapid increase in the demand for power in towns and cities special focus will be made to vigorously implement transmission schemes in order to provide quality power supply to consumers.Since the substations are located in GHMC area and due to the right of way problems for erecting tower lines in the densely-populated areas, it became necessary for connecting these substations with underground (UG) cable system of 220 kV and 132 kV. The works are taken up in two Phases with JICA funds and in one phase with PFC funds. Four 220 kV substations and one 132 kV sub-station will be commissioned before March next year, an official press release on Sunday said. A major wok envisaged in the project is laying of cable for interconnecting the substations. The work of cable laying was taken up in different locations of GHMC area. The APTransco is digging trenches of 500 metre long and, after laying the cable, filling them up immediately. It is taking up work on one trench at a time and at no point of time not more than one trench is open so as not to inconvenience road-users. Road cutting is taken up only after obtaining permissions from GHMC, R&B and traffic police. As per the GHMC and R&B norms, Transco is paying road reformation charges only after which the department concerned grants permission for road cutting.