GUWAHATI, Nov 30 - The Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd (APDCL) has decided to borrow around Rs 3,000 crore from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the company is finalising the proposal for the purpose that will be placed before the State government.
This was stated by the power utility in a written reply to an RTI petition filed by this correspondent. The power utility said it would spend the amount to be freshly borrowed from the ADB on reducing the losses in the distribution network and to make it commercially viable.
The power distribution company received around Rs 1,118 crore as loan during 2010-2018 from the ADB, under the Assam Power Sector Enhancement Investment Programme and Assam Power Sector Investment Programme, for introducing reform programmes.
The power utility spent around Rs 14.9 crore in 2010-11, Rs 38 crore in 2011-12, Rs 131.5 crore in 2012-13, Rs 252.7 crore in 2013-14, Rs 171.5 crore in 2014-15, Rs 177.8 crore in 2015-16, Rs 227.9 crore in 2016-17 and Rs 104.3 crore in 2017-18 for enhancing its performance.
During this period, the power utility also spent an amount of around Rs 197 crore as the counterpart fund against the above loans.
Asked what specific works were done, equipment procured and facilities created with the borrowed money, the power utility said 29 new 33/11 kV substations have been constructed, fourteen 33/11 kV substations have been augmented and four 33/11 kV substations have been renovated.
Moreover, 634 km of 33 kV lines, 307 km of 11 kV lines, 10 km of 11 kV ABC lines, 93 km of LT ABC lines (HVDS) and 410 DTRs (HVDS) have been installed in various districts of the State with the help of borrowed amounts.
Though most of the areas for strengthening the power system have been covered, the goal of reducing transmission and commercial (AT&C) loss to the optimal level and to make the distribution company a sustainable one is yet to be achieved.
Besides, the goal of providing quality and reliable power to consumers of remote locations, large scale implementation of high voltage distribution system (HVDS) to reduce LT losses, reducing technical and commercial loss also remained to be achieved.
To achieve these goals, a detailed project report is being prepared under the Assam Power Distribution Investment Programme, said the power utility.
