Ranchi: Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam Ltd (JBVNL) has decided to set up at least five new power substations in every assembly constituency across the state to ensure uninterrupted and quality electricity supply in both urban and rural areas.Prabhat Kumar Srivastava, director (distribution and project), JBVNL, issued a letter on Friday to the general managers-cum-chief engineers of the corporation’s seven electrical supply zones. These zones cover Ranchi, Dhanbad, Hazaribag, Jamshedpur, Giridih, Medininagar and Dumka.Explaining the need for the initiative, Srivastava said the length of 33 kV and 11 kV lines should ideally be limited to 5-10 km in urban areas and 15-20 km in rural areas to ensure proper voltage. “At present, 33 kV and 11 kV lines in rural areas often stretch 40-50 km, and sometimes even longer. This frequently leads to low-voltage problems for consumers,” he said.While urban areas generally have shorter distances between substations, they face the problem of overloading due to rising demand. The proposed substations are expected to address both issues.“Construction of additional power substations will reduce low voltage in rural areas and overloading in urban areas. With more small feeders, maintenance and patrolling will also become easier, helping ensure a better power supply,” Srivastava said.General managers have been directed to consult local MLAs and other public representatives while identifying suitable sites for the substations. They have also been asked to coordinate with the respective deputy commissioners to secure land for the construction of five substations in each assembly constituency.The officials have been instructed to submit compliance reports to the JBVNL headquarters after completing the required process.
