Pune: The district collector has recently sanctioned a 0.65-hectare plot of land for 220kV substation for Baner-Balewadi after years of delay. The new infrastructure will ease the burden on the existing substations at NCL and Hinjewadi, which serve over 1.
5 lakh consumers at present. TOI has persistently reported on the issues of residents facing frequent power outages and voltage fluctuations during summer and rainy days because of overloaded and worn-out facilities in Baner , Balewadi , Sus and Mahalunge. Uma Gadgil, a local resident following up with authorities on the substation's development, said, "We have been pushing for this since the 2019 assembly elections.
The land originally allotted for the substation was repurposed as a Covid-19 care centre and later turned into a hospital space. Another site in front of DMart was proposed, but became a PMPML bus and charging station instead." An official from the electricity department said the sanction for an extra high voltage substation was given two years ago, but due to non-allotment of land, it was pending.
"The new substation will benefit residents for the next 15 to 20 years. We expect the project to be completed within two years after all departments finish the required processes. The substation will have two 100 MVA transformers with 13 outgoing feeders.
While the substation was sanctioned, our chief engineer Rajendra Pawar pursued the matter with the collector for the land sanction," the official said. Vijay Varanga.