State adopts new tech to strengthen power distribution system

Kolkata: The state Power department has started using a new technology for strengthening the power distribution system with special emphasis on quick identification of faults in electricity supply lines.

"We have started using SEEDN technology, which enables us to locate the exact area of the fault as we start moving from the substation located in a particular area, from where the fault has been reported. The technology is equipped with a fault passage indicator, which helps in quick location of the electric pole, where there has been a problem," state Power minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay said.

Earlier, engineers from the Power department had to travel long distances and check every single pole to identify the exact place of the fault.

The department has already installed this technology in 50 feeder boxes across the state.

It has been found that due to frequent thundershowers in recent times, there have been frequent power faults and the engineers from the Power department has addressed the situation in no time by the use of this modern technology.

"Apart from the inclement weather resulting in power disturbances, overdrawing of power by illegal means have also resulted in power cut," a senior official of the department said. The department, with the objective of sustainable and uninterrupted power connection, has taken up a project of underground cable system for power supply in 77 urban townships across the state.

The department has successfully completed laying of such underground cables for electricity at Nabadwip in Nadia district and Bolpur in Birbhum."We have targetted to complete the underground power supply project by 2025. We will be taking up an average of 11 urban townships a year for installing this facility. This will help us achieve our aim of laying underground power supply infrastructure for 77 such townships in the state," an official said. Overhead power supply is often affected when there are inclement weather conditions, like a storm or heavy rainfall.

"Apart from this, there is rampant power theft due to hooking, which results in loss for the department. Underground power connection will make the situation much better," a senior official of West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (WBSEDCL), which is implementing the project said.