The government has proposed to lay new underground cables under the JICA-assisted project to eliminate interruptions in power supply. | Photo Credit: S_S_KUMAR more-in The Puducherry government has submitted a revised Detailed Project Report to the Centre at ?983.43 crore for strengthening of transmission and distribution network and solar generation in the Union Territory to meet the increasing power demand. The project cost would be availed by loans from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Electricity Minister R. Kamalakannan told the Assembly. Replying to the demands for grants for the departments, Mr. Kamalakannan said the project on completion would ensure quality power supply and reduction in Transmission and Distribution losses by 10%. The Minister pointed out that the interruptions in power supply were mainly because of defects in the existing underground cable system which was laid over 30 years ago. Although the defects were rectified, the government had proposed to replace the old underground cables with new cables under the JICA project to overcome interruptions in power supply. The work would be taken up on priority this year. Sub-station at Karaikal A 230/110 kV auto sub-station would be established at Karaikal through the Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd at a cost of ?48.17 crore. The work was expected to be completed by September 2018, Electricity Minister R. Kamalakannan told the Assembly on Wednesday. Replying to the demands for grants for the departments, Mr. Kamalakannan said the construction of a 110/22 kV substation at Thondamanatham at ?11.75 crore was nearing completion. The power station, on commissioning, would meet the power demand of industries in Thondamanatham, Sedharapet, Thethampakkam and Villianur. The government had proposed to replace the existing streetlights in the Union Territory with LED lights. The proposal would be taken up for implementation this financial year. Mr. Kamalakannan said that a proposal had been sent to the Ministry of Human Resource Development for the establishment of a Faculty Development Centre at Perunthalaivar Kamarajar College of Education, Karaikal, for imparting training to teachers in schools and colleges. The government proposed to implement the UGC revised pay structure based on the Seventh Central Pay Commission recommendations for all government and society college teaching staff before the next financial year.

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