Distribution network in Kashmir being upgraded to cater to the increasing demand: Chief Engineer
The Power Development Department (PDD) survey has shown that over 12000 distribution transformers have been damaged in one year in the state due to excess load on the distribution set up.
As per the survey, the transformer damage rate was 28 percent in Kashmir division while as it was 22 percent in Jammu division in the year 2015-16.
In Kashmir, maximum number of 1013 transformers were damaged in electricity division Budgam and percentage was 36, while as it was higher in south Kashmir areas of Kulgam, Shopian and Awantipora. In Kulgam and Shopian 38 percent transformers were damaged last year from the installed capacity of 1674 and 1144 and the number was 628 and 435 respectively for these two districts. In Awantipora the damage rate was 37 percent and the number was 404 from the installed capacity of 1103.
In the four electricity divisions of Srinagar, the percentage was 8 to 19. The number of transformers damaged in Srinagar division Ist, 2nd, 3rd and 4th was 108, 134, 115 and 202 respectively which was 8, 10, 13 and 19 percent.
Across Kashmir from the installed capacity of 25006 transformers the number of damaged ones was 6979 contributing the percentage of 28. About the other electricity circles, in Ganderbal the number of transformers which were damaged was 481 against the installed capacity of 1362, in Anantang it stood at 591 from the capacity of 1821, in Bijbehara it was 382 against 1218 capacity, in Pulwama the number was 326 from the installed capacity of 1343.
In Baramulla the number of transformers damaged was 431 contributing the percentage of 25, in Sopore at 492 the percentage was 29, in Tangmarg, Bandipora and Sumbal the number was 157, 162 and 245 contributing the percentage of 23, 29 and 31.
In Handwara and Kupwara 321 and 352 transformers were damaged amounting to the percentage of 31 and 25 percent respectively.
In Jammu division the number of transformers which were damaged was much higher in some areas and the total percentage was 22 from the installed capacity of 25957.
In one of the electricity divisions of Jammu the number of transformers which were damaged was highest in the state and stood at 1572 against the installed capacity of 4140 contributing percentage of 38. Overall in the state which includes the damage rate in Leh and Kargil electricity divisions the number of transformers which were damaged was 12798 from the installed capacity of 51919 contributing percentage of 24.6.
As per the survey in different areas of the state the installed capacity of each transformer is about 2-3 times more than the agreement load of consumers. “Inspite of this the transformers get damaged due to the excess use of load by the consumers,’’ noted the survey.
Chief Engineer PDD, Shahnaz Goni said the distribution network in Kashmir is being upgraded to cater to the increasing demand of consumers on the power transmission infrastructure.
