HESCOM asked to explore uninterrupted power supply for 24x7 water supply network

In a bid to address the issue of unscheduled load shedding affecting the 24x7 water supply system in Hubballi-Dharwad, Hubballi Electricity Supply Company (HESCOM) has been asked to hold consultation meeting with municipal and district administration to explore a project to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the water pumping stations at Saundatti and Amminbhavi.

Chairing a review meeting in Dharwad on Tuesday, Energy Minister K.J. George said that as the city MLAs have pointed out the issue, the HESCOM Managing Director has been told to hold a meeting with the municipal and the district administration to explore the possibility.

Raising the issue of frequent power outages and low voltage issues in rural areas, he asked the officials to address them on priority. He told them to take remedial measures for problems pertaining to new connections, maintenance and other technical issues and also, strengthen the customer service centre.

Rain damage

Excess rainfall has damaged electric poles, transformers and other equipment causing an estimated loss of ₹1.71 crore in Dharwad district and a total of ₹16.17 crore in districts under HESCOM.

In Dharwad district, out of the 5,59,183 domestic connections, 5,12,621 were beneficiaries under the Gruha Jyothi scheme and 92% of the beneficiaries have been allocated ₹200 crore in subsidies, he said.

The Minister said that 933 rooftop solar systems with a capacity of 28.95 MW have been installed in Dharwad district. And, under the PM Surya Ghar Scheme, 490 systems have been installed, generating and supplying 1.92 MW of electricity.

MLAs N.H. Konaraddi, M.R. Patil and Mahesh Tenginakai raised a few issues and gave suggestions.

Additional Chief Secretary of Energy Department Gaurav Gupta, KPTCL Managing Director Pankajkumar Pandey, HESCOM Chairman Syed Azeem Peer Khadri, Deputy Commissioner Divya Prabhu G.R.J., HESCOM MD Vaishali M.L. and others were present.