Three Power Sub-Stations Inaugurated
Minister for Rural Industries and Animal Husbandry Pongalur N Palanisamy (second left) commissions the new power sub-station at Ganapathypalayam, near Palladam, on Wednesday. Coimbatore MP K. Subbarayan (left), Highways Minister M.P. Swaminathan (third right), and TNEB Chairman S. Machendranathan (second right) are in the picture. Minister for Rural Industries and Animal Husbandry Pongalur N. Palanisamy on Wednesday commissioned three new power substations of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, constructed at a cost of Rs. 80 crore, at a function held at Ganapathypalayam substation near Palladam. The sub-stations that were commissioned on Wednesday are Ganapathypalayam, Kalivelampatti and Tirupur Netaji Apparel Park. Mr. Palanisamy said that a total of five substations built at a cost of Rs. 150 crore were being inaugurated on a single day. There was spurt in demand for power in Tamil Nadu and the State required 9,300 mega watt.
When the demand for power was on the rise, the State witnessed power shortage because of three reasons i.e., shortage in generation due to lack of adequate uranium supply for Kalpakkam, flooding of Neyveli Lignite Corporation and variations in weather conditions that resulted in shortage of wind power. When compared to other States, power supply remained normal in Tamil Nadu, he added.
Of the total generation, 48 per cent electricity went for free supply, while the remaining 52 per cent alone was billed. Tamil Nadu Electricity Board was getting close to Rs. 1,500 crore from the government every year and the State had managed to get Rs. 85,000 crore from the Centre under the 11th five-year plan. Tamil Nadu was extending enormous concessions under its industrial policy for small and big industries resulting in spurt in foreign investments. Opening up of a number of industries for generating employment and to give a fillip to the economy resulted in the rise in demand for power supply.
Minister for Highways and Ports M.P. Saminathan said that two sub-stations at a cost of Rs 17 crore had been recently commissioned. In the last two years alone, the government had appointed 300 workers and had confirmed the services of 6,000 temporary workers. The State was implementing road improvement works totalling Rs. 4,690 crore. Roads at a length of 31,740 km were being repaired and 343 bridges had been completed.
Development of infrastructure had been the focus of the government. He also announced that detailed project reports were getting ready for the development of the Vellakoil, Kangeyam, Palladam bypass roads. Palladam – Avanashi Road was being widened into a two-lane road. The Chairman of TNEB said that sustained efforts were on to reduce transmission loss. District Collector V. Palanikumar took part.
