Vishal Rana/ Hamirpur The Transmission Line and Substation Wing of the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board has incurred a loss of 60 crore rupees in the state. There is no district in Himachal that has remained unaffected by the havoc of rain. The transmission wing has suffered losses in every district. The highest damage is reported in Kullu, Mandi, and Shimla. However, other districts have also suffered significant losses due to rainfall.
Some substations have collapsed, while the lines have been severely affected in other places. The onslaught of rain has disrupted every department ahead of schedule. It is estimated that the transmission wing of the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board has incurred more damage than anticipated due to excessive rainfall. If the rain had not been so heavy, perhaps the transmission wing would not have suffered such extensive losses. The department had not even estimated it. Now that the damage has been significant, efforts are being made to strengthen the infrastructure. Repairs have been completed and electricity has been restored in several areas, while work is still ongoing at a war footing in some places.
It is evident that continuous rainfall in Himachal Pradesh has caused significant damage amounting to millions of rupees in recent days. After the departments of Water Resources and Public Works, the Electricity Board is ranked third in terms of losses. The transmission wing of the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board has suffered considerable damage in Hamirpur. The transmission wing of the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board covers the entire Himachal Pradesh region. The department has reported an estimated loss of 60 crore rupees due to rainfall throughout Himachal. The transmission wing’s power substations have been affected by the heavy rainfall, and the repairs are being carried out by the electricity department staff on a war footing. However, temporary electricity supply has been restored by the department to ensure that consumers do not face any inconvenience. The 132 kV line from Kangoo to Bajaura has been severely damaged due to the rain. Its circuit has been disrupted. Nevertheless, temporary power supply has been restored by the department. Once the repair work is completed, the power supply will be restored permanently. Moreover, the collapse of substations in several places has caused significant losses to the transmission wing.
Electricity lines extend up to 1973 kilometers in the state.
The transmission wing of the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board is responsible for laying electricity lines extending up to 1973 kilometers in the state. The majority of the power substations in Himachal Pradesh have suffered considerable damage due to the rainfall. The power station being constructed in Hatkoti, Himachal Pradesh, has also been completely damaged due to the rain. Additionally, the nuclear and Solan power transmission lines have been severely damaged. Repair work is being carried out by the electricity department employees on a war footing. Temporary electricity supply has been provided to the people through alternative lines.
The transmission wing of the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board has incurred a loss of 60 crore rupees due to the rainfall. The highest damage is reported in Kullu, Mandi, and Shimla, while other districts have also suffered significant losses. Electricity supply has been restored after repair work. Temporary electricity supply has been provided in several places. Repair work is in progress, and once completed, the power supply will be restored permanently. Due to the excessive rainfall, the transmission wing has suffered significant losses right from the start of the monsoon season.
E. Madan Gopal Sharma
Chief Engineer, Himachal Pradesh Transmission Wing