EPDCL to take up distribution network project.

Andhra Pradesh Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited (APEPDCL) will be embarking upon a massive distribution network strengthening project, both in the urban and rural areas, in the next couple of months.

The tendering process is set to begin by March 31, and the entire project cost is estimated to be around Rs. 1,000 crore.

The entire project is being funded by World Bank.

The project is divided into four segments. While the first two segments will deal with strengthening of the distribution network in urban and rural areas, the other two components will focus on energy conservation and capacity building.

According to the Chairman and Managing Director of APEPDCL R. Mutyala Raju, World Bank has allocated a loan of Rs. 3,500 crore to the power sector in Andhra Pradesh. While Rs. 2,000 crore is allocated to APSPDCL, Rs. 1,000 crore is given to APEPDCL and Rs. 500 crores is given to AP Transco.

Of the Rs. 1,000 crore allocated to APEPDCL, Rs. 425 crore will be spent for distribution network in urban areas, Rs. 445 crore distribution network in rural areas, Rs. 100 crore for energy conservation and Rs. 30 crore for capacity building.

In the urban segments eight towns in the five coastal districts — Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Rajahmahendravaram, Kakinada, Tadepalligudem, Tanuku and Narsapuram — have been selected, while the entire rural areas in the five coastal districts that fall under APEPDCL will be covered.

The strengthening of distribution network will cover setting of 162 new sub-stations, which includes 32 indoor stations and 130 outdoor. This apart, 33 kv interlinking lines to the extent of 188 km will be laid, about 2,220 new distribution transformers will be installed about 260 km of underground cabling will be laid, said Mr. Mutyala Raju.

THE HINDU