Renovation on Mapusa-Sangolda 33 KV line underway

Renovation on Mapusa-Sangolda 33 KV line underway
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
PORVORIM, JAN 23
Residents of Sangolda and surrounding areas, who have been hit by a frequent power shutdown during the past few days, can hope for a brighter future.
The electricity department has undertaken a major work to renovate the 33 KV line from the Mapusa Power Sub-Station to Sangolda.
Speaking to Herald, officials at the Porvorim Power Sub-Station said the existing 33 KV line is over 33 years old.
“During monsoon, there was frequent disruption in power supply due to failure of insulators, snapping of conductors and other related problems,” an official said.
“Frequent power outages not only caused severe hardships to consumers in the area, but also wasted the resources of the electricity department in rectifying the faults. Hence the department has decided to renovate this line,” the official added.
The work to replace the 33 KV line involves stringing of new cables along the same route. Deteriorated poles are being replaced and the insulators are being changed.
“This renovation work will benefit the three power sub-stations at Mapusa, Saligao and Porvorim. Due to the ongoing renovation work of 33KV line, the department has been forced to undertake frequent power shutdowns,” the official said.
The official informed that the renovation work along the 9-km 33KV line, which is estimated at Rs 70 lakh, was started in the August 2010.
“Work was delayed since a major portion of the line passes through paddy fields and also on account of objections raised by some residents,” the official said.
“Nearly 90% of the work has now been completed and the balance work will be completed by February end. The department will have to undertake two or three more power shutdowns till the completion of the work,” said the official.
Meanwhile, the Electricity Department has issued a work order for the installation of additional a 10 MVA transformer at the Porvorim Power Sub-Station.
The Porvorim Power Sub-Station has been overloaded presently and hence the decision has been taken by the Electricity Department to increase the capacity of the sub-station by another 10 MVA to cater to future requirement. “This work will start soon and the dates of the power shutdown will be intimated to the public in advance through the print media,” said the official.