Power board to lay 22kV lines for Shimla water plan

Even as Shimla Jal Prabandhan Nigam Limited (SJPNL) is aiming to make the World Bank-aided bulk water supply project to Shimla from the Sutlej functional this June, Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) will not be able to set up the power infrastructure as desired by the water company by then. The construction of 66kV power transmission lines and a substation, which the company had asked for in 2019, has been delayed and it will take another two to three years to raise this infrastructure.

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Thankfully, the delay in setting up the demanded power structure will not hold up the distribution of water through the World Bank aided project in the city as the HPSEBL is working on providing an alternative 22kV transmission line for the project by April this year. “We will have the alternative 22 kV transmission lines ready by April this year. The SJPNL can make the scheme functional with these lines,” said Lokesh Thakur, Superintending Engineer, HPSEBL.

The 66kV lines ensure more reliable and uninterrupted power supply than 22kV lines. The 66kV lines are built on towers, while the 22kV lines passes through poles, making these vulnerable to interruptions. “Even the existing major water supply schemes to the city – the Gumma and the Giri water supply schemes – are running on the 22kV lines. I don’t see any problem for the Sutlej scheme as well, especially when the 22kV lines are only a temporary measure,” said Thakur.

Meanwhile, Pritam Chauhan, SE, HPSEBL, said the laying of 66kV lines and the sub-station have been delayed because of the pending clearance under Forest Conservation Act. “The FCA clearance for the sub-station has come, but the clearance for the transmission lines are pending. It will take two to three years to get the clearances and lay the lines,” said Chauhan.