Dehradun: As soon as the Chardham Yatra starts in the state, the demand for electricity will increase by 8 to 10 MW. UPCL has intensified preparations to supply electricity 24 hours a day as per the demand. As soon as the Yatra starts, all the hotels, restaurants and areas around religious places on the Yatra routes of the state are illuminated with electricity.
The figure of demand for electricity for UPCL also increases as compared to normal days. After the opening of the doors of Badrinath, the demand for electricity increases by 2.5 MW, 2 MW in Kedarnath, 1.5 MW in Gangotri, 2 MW in Yamunotri, about 2 MW in Hemkund Sahib. The supply lines in Badrinath and Kedarnath are 21-21 kilometers long.
These are the preparations
The repair work of 200 KW small hydro power project in Kedarnath Dham will be completed and production will be started by April 25. Lopping and chopping of 33 kV, 11 kV line from 33 kV Guptkashi to Sonprayag is complete.
Repair work of damaged 11 kV line, LT line, street light line from Gaurikund to Kedarnath Dham has been completed. Work of increasing capacity of Guptkashi-Sonprayag line and 33 kV sub station is complete. To ensure supply in the Dham, two assistant engineers, five junior engineers are being deployed at various places from Gaurikund to Kedarnath. 26 labourers have also been deployed at various places.
Electricity will be supplied to Kedarnath Dham from three additional sources in Rudraprayag. So that if there is a blockage at one place, supply can be done from another line.
There is a 1300 kW small hydroelectric project in Badrinath Dham, which supplies electricity to the Dham. The internal lighting of the Dham is done with a 25 kVA generator. Here too the repair work of the lines has been completed. To deal with the situation of low voltage due to excessive load, a new 33 KV substation will be built in Badrinath, for which the process of land allocation is going on. The work of increasing the capacity of Pandukeshwar substation will be completed by April 25.
UPCL has also completed the repair work of lines in Gangotri and Yamunotri. Two transformers have been installed in Yamunotri. Earlier, the LT line used to come from five km away. Now a plan is being worked out for 24-hour supply.
All arrangements are being made to ensure power supply in all the four Dhams. Along with putting engineers on duty in all the four Dhams, transformers, poles and other equipment have been made available for emergency situations.
-NS Bisht, Chief Engineer, Garhwal
