Karnataka to establish 100 New Substations to Revolutionize State’s Energy Infrastructure, Energy Minister K.J. George Establishment of 44 substations in Mysuru district to be completed within 2 years

Bengaluru Express
Mysuru, June 5: In a significant move to enhance the efficiency of the state’s power distribution network, Karnataka is set to establish 100 new electricity substations. This ambitious project, announced by Energy Minister K.J. George, is expected to be completed within the designated timeline.

Following a meeting and progress review with the district’s public representatives at the Zilla Panchayat auditorium on Wednesday, he told reporters, “This project has been created to develop essential infrastructure aimed at delivering reliable and high-quality power supply.”

Speaking to reporters after a meeting and progress review with Mysore district’s public representatives related to the Energy Department at the Zilla Panchayat auditorium today, the Energy Minister said, “This project has been designed to develop basic infrastructure to ensure quality power supply.

In the Mysuru district, 44 electricity transmission substations are expected to be completed within two years, ensuring a quality power supply to farmers and the public. Although there is currently no power shortage, a lack of basic infrastructure is causing supply issues. To resolve this, the number of power transmission substations is being increased, KJ George added.

“All necessary steps are being taken to provide proper electricity supply to farmers’ pump sets. Out of the 4 lakh illegal pump sets in the state, 2.5 lakh have been regularized. For pump sets located within 500 meters of feeders, the department will provide transformers. For pump sets located beyond 500 meters, solar pump sets will be provided under the Kusum-B scheme. Similarly, under the Kusum-C scheme, feeder solarization is being implemented to ensure adequate daytime power supply to farmers,” the Energy Minister said.

“Our government has set a target of generating 2,400 megawatts of solar power through feeder solarization of agricultural pump sets under the Kusum-C scheme. On June 11, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will inaugurate the solar power plant established under the Kusum scheme at Thondebhavi in Gauribidanur,” KJ George noted.

Free electricity up to 10 HP will continue

The Energy Minister clarified that linking Aadhaar with the RR numbers of agricultural pump sets has sparked rumours about discontinuing free electricity. He explained that the process aims to verify the amount of electricity supplied to farmers and the number of existing connections. He assured that free electricity will continue for agricultural pump sets up to 10 HP and that farmers will receive a proper seven-hour electricity supply. He emphasized that there is no need for any doubts regarding this matter.

“In Mysuru district, the Gruha Jyothi scheme has been 99% successful. Through this scheme, the state government is providing ₹9,000 crore annually to all ESCOMs. If an electricity transformer breaks down, it will be repaired within 24 hours in urban areas and within 48 hours in rural areas,” the Energy Minister said.

“After the Chief Minister recently visited the haadis (tribal hamlets), necessary steps have been taken to supply electricity to them, and required infrastructure has been developed. Arrangements have been made to supply electricity to more than 600 haadi households,” the Energy Minister added.

During the district progress review meeting, Narasimharaja assembly constituency MLA Tanveer Sait stated that Mysuru is a rapidly growing city, and CESC must prioritize resource mobilization. Under the Ganga Kalyana scheme, electricity connection should be provided immediately after borewells are drilled. In drinking water supply schemes, due to overload in pump houses, power trips are occurring. These issues must be resolved.

Krishnaraja assembly constituency MLA Srivatsa also spoke, requesting greater attention to the electricity supply problems affecting drinking water distribution. He also gathered information regarding underground power cables in the city.

Responding to this, Minister K.J. George said, “Not just in Mysuru city, but across the entire district, necessary steps will be taken to ensure proper electricity supply. Attention will also be given to avoiding power problems in pump houses. CESC officials should meet public representatives, take their suggestions, and work accordingly.”

Additional Chief Secretary of the Energy Department, Gaurav Gupta, said, “Steps have been taken to provide electricity during the daytime in forest fringe areas. Measures have also been taken to ensure that there are no issues in regions where there is human-wildlife conflict,”.

The meeting was attended by MLAs G.T. Devegowda, K. Harish Gowda, D. Ravishankar, MLCs K. Vivekananda, Dr. D. Thimmaiah, KPCL Managing Director Pankaj Kumar Pandey, Deputy Commissioner Lakshmikant Reddy, Zilla Panchayat CEO Yukesh Kumar, CESC Managing Director K.M. Munigopal Raju, Guarantee Implementation Committee Vice President Dr. Pushpa Amarnath, Arun Kumar, and others.
Behave Courteously with Farmers

Speaking at the meeting, K.R. Nagar MLA D. Ravishankar alleged, “CESC staff and linemen do not behave courteously with farmers and fail to respond properly to their problems.” In response, Minister K.J. George stated, “When farmers report electricity issues, energy department officials, staff, and linemen must act courteously and resolve the problems within the stipulated time. If any staff member fails to treat farmers respectfully, strict action will be taken against them,” he assured.

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“The energy department’s schemes have been properly implemented under the Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) jurisdiction. Due to the rains, there was considerable damage in several areas under CESC limits. Hazardous locations were identified, and emergency works have been undertaken and completed. The underground cabling work in Mysuru city is in progress and will be completed within the next two years.” – K.M. Munigopal Raju, Managing Director, CESC, said.

* Swift and decisive action are underway to provide electricity to over 600 tribal hamlets under CESC jurisdiction, ensuring that no community is left behind in our energy revolution