UP pulls up socks to check power theft

To check the rampant power theft in Uttar Pradesh, the UP Power Corporation Ltd (UPPCL) has undertaken a massive drive to install superior technology conductors along supply lines.

The corporation is installing Ariel Bunch Conductors (ABCs), which provide an excellent replacement for bare conductors, thereby eliminating the possibility of power theft by hooking, commonly known as 'katia'. ABCs also eliminate interruptions of feeders and thereby increase system reliability.

A pilot project has been completed and the corporation has set a target of installing ABCs for 10,000 kms of supply line in the first phase, UPPCL Director (administration) Harish Chandra Singh told Business Standard. Transmission and distribution (T&D) losses account for almost 7.5-10 per cent of the massive power pilferages.

Meanwhile, under the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY), the corporation has vigorously taken up rural electrification and the setting up of new sub-stations in the rural hinterland. "Gram sabha land is being acquired for the purpose and there is no crunch of funds to this end," he maintained.

The state government is targeting addition by over 10,000 megawatt of power under the current 11th Plan and several power plants "" in collaboration with National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited (BHEL) and others in the private sector, such as Reliance and Lanco "" are in the pipeline.

While UPPCL will soon sign a memorandum of understanding with the NTPC to set up a 4,000 Mw power plant in Lalitpur district of Bundelkhand region, BHEL is setting up a 1,000 Mw thermal power plant in Anpara D.

Northern coalfields of Coal India Ltd (CIL) will provide fuel for the project. Anpara D is expected to be commissioned within the next 39 months.

The corporation has also undertaken renovation of its existing plants on a massive scale to tide over the power crisis, which aggravates during the summer season every year.