Chennai, Aug 22 (BPNS)

The Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Company (Tangedco) is to segregate Agricultural power lines across the state to reduce the power line losses. According to officials of Tangedco, its power line losses are currently pegged at 13.5%.

There are at present 1686 feeders from which power is supplied to agricultural connections, domestic, commercial, and industrial connections.  Tangedco has now decided to sever 475 agricultural connections from the presently existing feeders. This is part of the Central Government’s Revamped Sector scheme to reduce transmission losses.

According to officials with Tangedco,  99 agricultural feeders will be segregated from transformers and other feeders and the cost for the project is estimated to be about Rs 534.86 crores. The power utility will also be replacing old lines for a distance of 206.50 km with an expenditure pegged at Rs 15.41 crores and new poles may also be installed for this.

Tangedco is expecting to reduce the power line transmission losses from the present 13.5% to 11.92% in a gradual manner through the segregation of feeders as well as new lines for power transmission.

Officials told BPNS that measuring power units supplied to agricultural connections would also be easier by segregating power lines. This, according to an official with the Tangedco will be of help in controlling the problems of low voltage to agricultural connections.

However, farmers said that Tangedco must ensure free power for agriculturists. C.K. Mohandas, a farmer association leader of Tiruchi while speaking to BPNS said, “ The farmers are not much amused on the segregation of agricultural feeders, we are expecting free power connections to at least a minimum number of units.”

He also demanded that Tangedco officials must identify illegal tapping of power and improper lift irrigation in river beds as many farmers are affected.