3 years on, Lastadhar sub-station in limbo

Kuldeep Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Lastadhar (Shimla), April 22

The fate of the Rs 23.56-crore 66/22 kv Lastadhar sub-station and 66 kv transmission line hangs in balance even after three years.

The transmission line aims at redeeming residents in Chopal subdivision of the low-voltage problem and recurring blackouts.

Even as HP State Electricity Board Ltd (HPSEBL) claims that the work would start soon on the project, the site of the foundation stone presents a picture of neglect.

The stone, laid by former CM PK Dhumal in a jiffy eyeing 2011 state Assembly elections, has been defaced by miscreants and is enveloped by thorny bushes at Lastadhar in Dewat gram panchayat. Chopal subdivision residents are a resented lot as they have to face miseries of low voltage and repeated blackouts almost everyday as the transmission and distribution system in the subdivision is in a bad shape.

“We have brought it to the notice of HPSEBL authorities, but to no avail,” said Guttu Azta, pradhan gram panchayat, Dewat.

“Dhumal laid the foundation stone in 2011, but his name disappeared from the plate. HPSEBL nameplate is also in a shambles, leave alone any progress on the project,” resented Pratap Singh Banchta, local nambardar of Shantha, a village which continue to face low-voltage and blackout problem almost everyday. Shilgranh, Hiragdhar, Dewat, Kharu-Duina, Bateori, Bahaldhar, Kumra, Shillikian, Pabaas are other villages in the subdivision that face the same problem.

As per the project, HPSEBL aims at constructing the 26/22 kv substation at the cost of Rs 8.30 crore and 66 kv transmission line at the cost of Rs 15.26 crore. The project was to be completed in two years. HPSEBL subdivision office in Chopal is reeling under acute shortage of field staff, junior engineer, assistant engineers and other staff to take care of distribution, transmission and operation.

It needs six JEs, three foremen, two AEs to tone up the work in the subdivision. The electricity was restored after 14 days in Chopal subdivision in March after snowstorm caused extensive damage to the transmission line.

MD, HPSEBL, PC Negi said the Board had awarded the tender to the company and work on the substation would be fast-tracked. The staff including AEs, JEs, foremen would be recruited shortly as the Chopal subdivision and Kinnaur and Spiti subdivisions are on top priority list. The low-voltage problem would also be redressed soon, Negi assured.