Ghaziabad’s saviour stuck in land dispute

GHAZIABAD: A power transmission substation that could help Ghaziabad come out of its power crisis is stuck in a land dispute.

GHAZIABAD: A power transmission substation that could help Ghaziabad come out of its power crisis is stuck in a land dispute.

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The electricity department officials are banking heavily on the 400KV transmission substations in Indirapuram and Ator to meet out the rising power demand in summer.

The substation in Indirapuram is stuck due to an issue over a 8.5-square metre land required to install a transmission line tower at the Central Industrial Security Force campus. The officials said they were expecting the substation to start by April but it has been delayed due to the land issue.

“There have been talks and we expect a positive outcome. If the land is made available, we will start the 400KV Indirapuram substation by June-end. This will provide ample supply to the entire trans-Hindon area,” said Yatendra Kumar, superintending engineer, UP Power Transmission Corporation Limited.

Earlier in March, UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav had written to Union home minister Rajnath Singh to intervene.

Residents, however, continue to suffer. Nearly 8-hour power cuts are reported in new housing areas in transHindon region. Residents say they also foot huge power bills on backup power supply in high-rises. “Power backup rates range from ` 15 to ` 20 per unit. Nearly 250 litres of diesel is burnt by power backup generators. For highrise apartments, it’s even more. It also causes pollution,” said Alok Kumar from Arihant Harmony which has 150 flats.

Officials said the trans-Hindon areas have inferior infrastructure and often they need to shut the substations when demand goes up. Local faults also cause power cuts.

“We are able to supply nearly 23 hours of supply to city areas and nearly 22 hours to trans-Hindon areas. We were expecting the 400KV station at Indirapuram will start but it is facing land issues. Once stations at Indirapuram and Ator start, they would suffice the city needs for up to 2030,” said Arvind Rajvedi, chief engineer (distribution), Paschimanchal Vidyut Vitaran Nigam Limited.