Chandrapur: In a major step to address the chronic challenges of supplying electricity to one of Maharashtra’s most remote talukas, Mahatransco, and MSEDCL have begun work on an alternative power supply route to Sironcha from the neighbouring state of Telangana. The new link is aimed at ensuring a more reliable and quality power supply to 140 remote and extremely remote villages in the taluka.Sironcha, located nearly 250 km from Gadchiroli district headquarters, currently receives around 22 MW of power through the Mahatransco’s 66/33 kV substation. The substation is fed from Alapalli through a 93-km-long 66 kV transmission line.The existing route passes through the forests of Jimalgatta and across several rivers. During the monsoon, faults on the line are difficult to locate and repair, often affecting restoration of power supply. The absence of communication networks in several stretches further compounds the problem.To provide a dependable alternative, Mahatransco has started constructing a 132 kV transmission line from Kistampet in Mancherial district of Telangana to Sironcha. Kistampet is around 32 km from Sironcha. The project involves erection of 113 transmission towers and is targeted for completion by January.Once commissioned, Sironcha will have power supply options from both Alapalli and Kistampet, reducing its dependence on the long and difficult Alapalli transmission route. The new arrangement is expected to benefit around 75,000 residents of the taluka.Mahatransco Director (Operations) Dhananjay Aundhekar inspected the ongoing transmission works and reviewed the strengthening of the power network in Sironcha during his visit on Sunday. The capacity augmentation of the Sironcha 66/33 kV substation to 132/66/33 kV has already been completed.MSEDCL is also undertaking renovation and strengthening works at its substations. A new 33/11 kV substation at Sironcha has been commissioned with two 5 MVA power transformers. Aundhekar directed officials to install an additional 5 MVA transformer to meet the area’s growing power requirements.After the Telangana link becomes operational, Mahatransco proposes to upgrade the existing Sironcha-Alapalli 66 kV line to 132 kV, further strengthening the taluka’s power infrastructure.
