Lok Sabha Question No. 1877 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-11
Subject: Implementation of RDSS
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Shri Mohite Patil Dhairyasheel Rajsinh, Dr. Amol Ramsing Kolhe, Smt. Supriya Sule, Shri Sanjay Dina Patil, Prof. Varsha Eknath Gaikwad, Shri Bhaskar Murlidhar Bhagare

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1877 ANSWERED ON 11.12.2025

## IMPLEMENTATION OF RDSS

1877.  SMT. SUPRIYA SULE: SHRI BHASKAR MURLIDHAR BHAGARE: DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE: PROF. VARSHA EKNATH GAIKWAD: SHRI MOHITE PATIL DHAIRYASHEEL RAJSINH: SHRI SANJAY DINA PATIL:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

(a) the current status of implementation of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) in the State of Maharashtra;

(b) the total number of projects sanctioned under the scheme in Maharashtra;

(c) the details of initiatives taken by the Government under RDSS  in Maharashtra for improving infrastructure of DISCOMs including upgradation of substations, transformers and feeders;

(d) the number of urban and rural towns covered under RDSS in Maharashtra;

(e) the expected outcomes of these initiatives in terms of reduction in AT&C losses and improvement in power supply quality;

(f) the steps taken by the Government to ensure private sector participation in implementation of RDSS in Maharashtra;

(g) whether any technology partners or turnkey contractors have been engaged in the State under this scheme and if so, the details thereof;

(h) whether  any  delays,  cost  escalations  or  logistical  issues  have  been encountered and if so, the details thereof; and

- (i) the  remedial  measures  undertaken  by  the  Government  to  resolve  such issues?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER (SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

(a): The progress of Loss reduction works and smart metering works under RDSS for the State of Maharashtra as on 03.12.2025 is tabulated below:

| Sl. No.   | DISCOM   | Loss Reduction Works   | Smart Metering Works   |
|-----------|----------|------------------------|------------------------|
| 1         | 35.74%   | 31.07%                 | MSEDCL                 |
| 2         | BEST     | 29.85%                 | 43.52%                 |
| State     | State    | 35.41%                 | 31.63%                 |

(b) to (e): Electricity, being a concurrent subject, the supply of electricity in a reliable manner to all consumers, including upkeep, maintenance and augmentation  of  distribution  infrastructure,  in  rural  and  urban  areas,  is  the responsibility of the respective State Governments/ distribution utilities.

Government of India is supplementing the efforts of the State through Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) under which Loss reduction works amounting to Rs 17,238 Cr and Smart metering works amounting to Rs 15,215 Cr have been sanctioned for the State of Maharashtra. Loss reduction works include works for new  substations  and  Distribution  Transformers,  upgradation  of  substations  and Distribution Transformers (DTs), replacement and augmentation of HT and LT lines, agricultural feeder separation, feeder bifurcation, HVDS (High Voltage Distribution System),  disaster  resilient  works,  household  electrification  works  etc.  Further, Smart metering works for 2.36 Cr consumers, 4.11 lakh DTs and 29,214 Feeders have been sanctioned. The above works have been sanctioned for 34 districts in Maharashtra, including the urban and rural areas, based on the project proposal submitted by the State.

The  completion  of  the  above  works  will  result  in  improving  the  operational efficiency of the DISCOMs including reduction in AT&C losses and improvement of power supply. The targeted outcomes under the scheme based on the action plan submitted  by  the  State  for  the  parameters  of  AT&C  loss  and  power  supply  is enclosed at Annexure.

(f) & (g): Under  RDSS,  Smart  Metering  is  being  carried  out  through  Public Private Partnership (PPP). The Advanced Metering Infrastructure Service Provider (AMISP) will provide smart metering services in DBFOOT (Design Build Fund Own Operate & Transfer) mode.

Further, for loss reduction works, distribution utilities are the Project Implementing Agencies and works are being carried out through the Turnkey contractors of the respective distribution utilities as per the scheme guidelines.

(h) to (i): Initially  there  were  some  challenges  in  the  implementation  of sanctioned works under the scheme due to delay in administrative approvals such as technical/ financial evaluation, State Government approval, signing of agreements, approval of General Technical Particulars (GTP), etc. Other factors which affect the progress of works include extreme weather conditions such as intense  rainfall,  flooding  etc.  Ministry  of  Power  and  the  Nodal  Agencies  are regularly following up with the States and distribution utilities on the progress of tendering, award and physical progress of sanctioned works and are handholding the utilities in resolving issues, if any. As a result, the works have now picked up pace. Further, as per the scheme guidelines, cost escalation over and above the sanctioned cost has to be borne by the respective State/ distribution utility.

ANNEXURE ANNEXURE REFERRED IN REPLY TO PARTS (b) TO (e) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1877 ANSWERED IN THE LOK SABHA ON 11.12.2025

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| DISCOM   | Parameter               | Unit            | FY 26 Target   |
|----------|-------------------------|-----------------|----------------|
| MSEDCL   | AT&C losses %           |                 | 13%            |
| MSEDCL   | Hours of supply (Rural) | Avg. Hours/ Day | 23:00          |
| MSEDCL   | Hours of supply (Urban) | Avg. Hours/ Day | 23:42          |
| BEST     | AT&C losses             | %               | 7.50%          |
| BEST     | Hours of supply (Urban) | Avg. Hours/ Day | 23:57          |

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