Lok Sabha Question No. 1664 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-05
Subject: Electricity Infrastructure in Rural Areas of Maharashtra
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Ms. Praniti Sushilkumar Shinde

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1664 ANSWERED ON 05.12.2024

## ELECTRICITY INFRASTRUCTURE IN RURAL AREAS OF MAHARASHTRA

1664.  MS. PRANITI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken steps to expedite the approval for commencement  of  work  under  the  Revamped  Distribution  Sector  Scheme  (RDSS)  in Maharashtra,  considering  the  difficulties  faced  by  rural  farmers  due  to  outdated electrical infrastructure;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the expected timeline for the same and if not, the reasons therefor;

- (c) whether  the  Government  has  a  plan  to  address  the  safety  concerns  related  to night electricity distribution for farming;
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with the measures taken/being taken to reduce the risk of incidents that endanger farmers lives and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) whether the Government is taking immediate measures to address the hazards posed  by  old  electric  conductors,  especially  in  light  of  the  recent  tragic  incident occurred in Gulvanchi village and if so, the details thereof?

## A N S W E R

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

(a) to (d) : Under Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), projects worth Rs. 30,755 Cr. have been sanctioned for the loss reduction and smart metering works for Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL).

This includes agricultural feeder segregation works worth Rs. 7,010 Cr. for 4,712 mixed  load  feeders  having  agricultural  load  of  more  than  30%.  It  is  expected  that separation  of  agriculture  and  non-agriculture  feeders  will  facilitate  reliable  three phase supply to non-agricultural consumers in the rural areas and support DISCOMs in providing day time supply of power to the farmers.

..........2.

State of Maharashtra has reported that, considering night time safety concerns related to farming and to provide day-time power to agriculture consumers, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) / Mukhyamantri Saur  Krishi  Vahini  Yojna  (MSKVY)  is  being  implemented  with  a  plan  to  install decentralized solar power projects of 16,000 MW. To support this, system strengthening  works  for  augmenting  back-end  infrastructure,  worth  Rs.  2,978  Cr., have been sanctioned under RDSS.  Further, solar pumps are being installed instead of conventional pumps  under 'Magel Tyala Saur Pump  Program'  of State of Maharashtra.

The sanctioned  works  under  RDSS  have  been  awarded  and  are under implementation.

(e) : State of Maharashtra has reported that in order to avoid the tragic incident that occurred in Gulvanchi village, old deteriorated Low Tension (LT) bare conductor lines have been identified and are being replaced with LT Aerial Bunched Cable. Also, the accident-prone  areas  are  identified  by  MSEDCL  and  maintenance  activities  are carried out on priority.

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