Minister for Power Development Department Sunil Sharma today reiterated the Government’s commitment to improve power scenario in the state and said that augmentation of the infrastructure will be intensified in the coming days.Talking to reporters here at a press conference, the Minister informed that power infra augmentation work is being speeded up from this month as tender process for pending works has been completed.The government is spending crores of rupees on power sector he said adding “The Centre Government has shown keen interest in augmentation of power sector of the state and has released Rs 8000 Crore for the same.” He said that the cumbersome tendering process caused delay but now the pending works will be speeded up starting with Udhampur district from June 6, 2018.He anticipated cooperation and patience from the public and expressed hope that augmentation work will be completed in a stipulated time.He said that due to increase in temperature in Jammu region the common masses are suffering a lot on account of power shortage. Minister stated that around 650 MVA power is required in Jammu region and the supply is 500 MVA, resulting in power curtailment.
Minister acknowledged that the present infrastructure is not capable of providing the power supply consistently and hence needs to be augmented for tapping the full potential.On the issue of power thefts and unnecessary use of power, the minister stressed that the power needs to be used judiciously. He said that the department is initiating a strict surveillance against power thefts and the corruption within the department shall not be spared at any cost.The Minister further said that, three to four Grid Stations of Jammu city are going to be upgraded soon adding that the Canal Grid Station with the capacity of 50 MVA has been already installed. He said that 20- MVA additional transformer will be commissioned at Janipur Grid and Barn to Janipur line is in process of augmentation. He said that 3 Receiving Stations at Hakkal, Jawala & Barnai will be inaugurated on June 3.The Minister said that unnecessary shutdown will be avoided but the necessary shutdown for augmentation and strengthening shall be taken accordingly.The Minister assured that all the remedial measures shall be taken well in time to provide un-interrupted power supply in Jammu.Commissioner Secretary JKPDD Hirdesh Kumar Singh, Chief Engineer, Electric M&RE Wing, Jammu Ashwani Gupta, Chief Engineer, System & Operation Wing, Jammu Avinash Dubey and other senior officers of the department were present in the press conference.