Rs 400 crore investment under Centre's RDSS scheme to augment power infra in J&K's Kathua

Vishal Bharti

Jammu, Oct 19 (UNI) An investment of around Rs 400 crore under the Government of India's (GoI) Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) is set to strengthen power infrastructure and improve electricity supply in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district.

"The Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) is a flagship initiative of the Government of India's Ministry of Power, aimed at strengthening and modernising the electricity distribution network, reducing power losses, and improving the quality and reliability of electricity supply to consumers," officials of the J&K Power Development Department said.

The RDSS scheme in Kathua district involves an approximate investment of Rs 400 crore, they said, adding that the scheme is intended to strengthen the existing electricity distribution infrastructure and cater to the growing power demand in the district. Kathua MLA Dr Bharat Bhushan said the RDSS initiative would give a boost to the power sector in the district.

"Under this scheme, the installation of transformers as per requirements, wiring, cabling, poles, strengthening of grid stations and other necessary works to improve the electricity infrastructure will be undertaken," the MLA told UNI. The legislator appreciated the Ministry of Power, Government of India, for releasing the funds, which would be utilised to strengthen the power infrastructure for the benefit of consumers. Technical Officer, Electric Division Kathua, AEE Ganesh Kumar, told UNI that the initiative would strengthen the distribution network through the upgradation and augmentation of existing 11 kV and low-tension (LT) lines, installation of additional poles and improvement of the distribution system. Sharing the objectives of the RDSS, he said the installation of new distribution transformers and augmentation of overloaded transformers would help meet the growing electricity demand.

The scheme would also reduce Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses through improved infrastructure and energy accounting. He said the initiative would ensure reliable and quality electricity supply to consumers in both urban and rural areas. It would also facilitate the implementation of smart and system metering, as envisaged under the approved project, and modernise the distribution system to improve efficiency, accountability and financial sustainability. Highlighting the key benefits, Kumar said the scheme would improve voltage regulation, reduce power interruptions, prevent overloading and failures of distribution transformers, and strengthen electricity infrastructure to meet future demand.

It would also help reduce technical losses, improve billing efficiency, enable better monitoring of electricity consumption and energy losses, and enhance consumer satisfaction through reliable and quality power supply, he said. The AEE said the RDSS scheme, with an approximate investment of Rs 400 crore, was expected to play a significant role in strengthening power distribution infrastructure, reducing losses and improving the reliability of electricity supply in Kathua district. "Its effective implementation will benefit domestic, commercial, industrial and other electricity consumers while supporting the district's future development," he said.

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