Rs 600 cr plan prepared to improve power scenario in Jammu city: Bhalla

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 28: Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture Raman Bhalla today said that Government has prepared a comprehensive plan of Rs. 600 crore under Re-structured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (R-APDRP) for improving the power scenario in Jammu city and peripheral areas including R S Pura and Akhnoor towns.
Interacting with the people after assessing the problem   related to power supply in Lower Gaddigarh, Bhour Camp, Karan Bagh, Rohi Morh, Indira Nagar and Dharap areas, here today, Bhalla said the project will be started soon after completing the codal formalities by Power Development Department.
Superintending Engineer Power Development Department (PDD) Gurbachan Singh, besides other senior officers of Power Development Department were present on the occasion.
For providing immediately relief from unscheduled power cuts to the Lower Gaddigarh, Bhour Camp, Karan Bagh, Rohi Morh, Indira Nagar and Dharap areas people, Mr. Bhalla asked the PDD officers to immediately start the up-gradation work of existing 6.3 MVA station to 10 MVA, adding that for this purpose Government has earmarked Rs. 96 lakh.
He asked the officers to shift 5 MVA load from over loaded Ashok Nagar station and 3 MVA from Satwari power station to newly constructed 10 MVA Shastri Nagar station   so that the people of Ashok Nagar, Sanjay Nagar, Akali Kour Singh Nagar, Preet Nagar and Satwari areas could get relief from frequent breakdowns.
The Minister said Government was committed to provide improved power supply in metered areas across the State by augmenting and up-grading the infrastructure base. He called upon the people to use power judiciously and pay power tariff regularly. He also warned them against illegal hooking, adding that power theft is crime and people should avoid it.
Earlier, Mr. Bhalla also conducted an extensive tour of Lower Gaddigarh, Shanti Nagar, Apna Vihar, Hari Vihar, Chuwadi in Sainik Colony and assessed drainage problem of the localities. He issued instructions to the Town Drainage Department (TDD) to start the work for construction of surface drains, for which he announced Rs. 80 lakh.
Responding to demands of Lower Gaddigarh residents, the Minister asked the TDD to also construct the slab on deep local drain to provide approach lane to the people. He called upon the people to cooperate with the executing agency in completing the construction works within stipulated time frame.
Mr. Bhalla called upon the people to come forward and take maximum benefit of welfare schemes for their economic development. He urged them to protect public property in their respective colonies. He said that massive developmental activities have been launched to provide all basic amenities to the people, including better road connectivity, adequate drinking water, electricity, education, health besides better lanes and drains.