PVVNL is set to energise its newly constructed 400 KVA power substation on Kala Patthar Road in Indirapuram in a phased manner, and the first phase is slated to begin on April 15.
The newly constructed 400 KVA power substation on Kala Patthar Road
This time, the summers will perhaps not unleash power woes on the trans-Hindon area. The reason: Paschimanchal Vidyut Vitaran Nigam Limited (PVVNL) is set to energise its newly constructed 400 KVA power substation on Kala Patthar Road in Indirapuram.
The work on the substation is nearing completion and will be activated in multiple phases. The first phase is slated to begin on April 15, said officials of the electricity department.
The substation will take over power supply for the entire trans-Hindon area (Vaishali, Kaushambi, Pratap Vihar and Indirapuram), currently managed by the Sahibabad substation, which, in turn, gets its supply from the substation in Muradnagar.
Senior officials of PVVNL involved in the setting up of the substation opined that the facility would meet the power demand for the next 10 years. It is expected to stem the problem of electricity shortage in the area, and will also end supply dependency on Noida.
The substation will also supply power to Noida in times of surplus.
Speaking to City Spidey, a senior PVVNL official said, “The facility has two 400/220 KV substations of 500 MVA capacity each, and three 220/33 KV substations of 60 MVA each. The latter will be energised in the first phase from April 15.”
The substation is a long-term back-up plan for the area, which used to be solely dependent on the Sahibabad substation. The area constantly faced the threat of disconnection in the eventuality of a calamity or any other form of damage to the power lines.
However, when City Sidey spoke to Jigyasu Pun, RWA secretary of Gaur Green City, he shared a different point of view. “The construction of this substation just adjacent to my society is a threat to the green space around, and we had also filed a case regarding this with the National Green Tribunal [NGT]. The NGT sought a report about alternative areas for the construction of this power station, but eventually, it was set up right here. The radiation from the facility is harmful — even though the electricity-department officials would say otherwise and claim that the facility is radiation-insulated.”
When asked about the substation being the long-term solution for power outages in the area, he said, “That’s what they are saying now — government officials are used to making tall claims. They have promised electricity to the entire trans-Hindon area, but only time will tell.”
He then said on a more optimistic note, “I have been living here since 2004, and we have always had to deal with power problems. Four-hour outages have become normal with us. So if they can raise the supply of electricity to even 22-23 hours, it will be great.”
Rakesh Kumar, secretary of Amrapali Village, said, “I am hopeful about this new project. We all know the power situation in Indirapuram. With this power station, we are hoping that power cuts will happen less frequently. It will certainly bring respite to the people.”
“The power supply has been highly erratic in Vaishali ever since I shifted here five years ago. We didn't know how to live without a generator, but this new power station claims to be able to change that reality, and I am looking forward to it,” said Prerna Chauhan, a resident of Vaishali, Sector 4.
Amardeep Singh Vij, RWA member of Aditya Mega City, a society in Indirapuram, said, “The promised supply will hopefully bring down the use of diesel generators, reducing both air and sound pollution.”
He added hopefully, "The cost of electricity provided by diesel generators is at least three times more than the normal unit price of power. So fewer powercuts will surely save us a few bucks in the summer.”
