₹411-cr. package to address power issues in Malappuram

Power Minister Sunny Joseph has said that a special package worth ₹411 crore will be implemented to address electricity-related issues in Malappuram district.

He said the lack of storage facilities for surplus power generated during the day was a major reason for the State’s power shortage. With low water levels in dams and higher night-time consumption, electricity has to be purchased at higher rates, he said.

Addressing a meeting here on power issues in the district on Monday (July 6), Mr. Joseph directed officials to expedite new substation projects to tackle voltage shortages. He also instructed KSEB officials to replace faulty and low-capacity transformers and install additional ones where needed.

He called for constituency-level meetings led by MLAs to identify and resolve local power issues. The shortage of staff at KSEB section offices would be addressed, and consumer complaints would be resolved promptly.

Mr. Joseph said the government was taking complaints from the public and elected representatives seriously and would ensure the timely completion of KSEB projects by removing delays. Awareness programmes would be conducted to prevent electrical accidents involving the public and electricity workers.

Abdussamad Samadani, MP, urged the government to make electricity offices more people-friendly. Kurukkoli Moideen, MLA, sought the commissioning of the Venganoor substation, its upgrade to 220 kV, measures to address staff shortages, underground cabling in Tirur town and nearby panchayats, and a 33 kV substation at Kuttippuram.

Aabid Hussain Thangal, MLA, demanded the start of construction of the Kottakkal substation.

P.M.A. Sameer, MLA, sought the upgrade of the Venniyur substation to 110 kv and the bifurcation of the Tirurangadi and Parappanangadi substations. T.V. Ibrahim, MLA, called for the immediate construction of a substation at Kondotty, citing the shortage of materials as a hurdle to power sector development.

T.P. Ashrafali, MLA, urged steps to provide an electricity connection for the Cheekode drinking water project. P.K. Navas, MLA, sought the removal of hurdles in starting the Tanur substation project and shifting electric posts obstructing roads.

V.S. Joy, MLA, suggested modernising the Adyanpara hydel project while exploring its tourism potential and the possibility of power generation from the Keralamkundu waterfall. Manjalamkuzhi Ali, MLA, demanded a substation to address voltage shortages in Makkaraparamba and Anakkayam areas.