Bengal to pump in Rs 4,200 cr for power supply to irrigation sector

To improve power supply to the irrigation sector, the West Bengal government will pump in Rs 4,200 crore over the next two years for a dedicated feeder line.

“The cabinet has approved a separate dedicated power line for irrigation, which will be rolled out at a cost of Rs 4,200 crore and the same will be initiated in a month’s time and completed over the next two years,” state Power minister Manish Gupta said.

It was part of Sech Bandhu project, which entails <g data-gr-id="20">to install</g> 46,000 pump sets with electric connectivity. The project will not only help improve farm productivity with better power <g data-gr-id="19">supply,</g> but help eradicate low voltage issues in rural Bengal, Gupta said.

Co-funded by the Centre with 60 <g data-gr-id="15">per cent</g> of the cost, the project would entail providing dedicated separate feeder lines for irrigation purposes for farmers, he said.

Infrastructure development for the project would include installation of 80 new 33/11KV sub-stations, 1.14 lakh distribution transformers and upgradation of some 50,000 existing transformers, the Minister said.