The state government is considering constructing an underground power sub-station in some parts of Mumbai where there is space constraints to meet the future demand for power in the metropolis. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Power Distribution Company (Mahadiscom) is laying a 800 KV ring route power line along the coastline which will supply uninterrupted power to the city.
Minister for energy Chandrashekhar Bawankule said that on the lines of European countries, the state government is considering constructing all new power sub-stations underground.“Unavailability of land and space is a big problem in Mumbai and other metro cities. Hence, in the future, all new sub-stations will be constructed in spaces where construction above the ground is not possible,” Mr Bawankule said.
He added that the problem was acute in areas such as Colaba, Fort and Bandra. Hence the government has decided to make amendments to the development plan whereby sub-stations can be constructed beneath spaces such as gardens. He clarified the construction of the proposed power sub-stations would not come in the way of construction of underground Metro lines.
To implement the new scheme, the government will need to make amendments to the rule 1991 of the Development Control Rules of Mumbai. The energy department has urged chief minister Devendra Fadnavis who heads the urban development department to ratify the proposal at the earliest.
Mr Bawankule further said that Mumbai is perhaps the only city in the world where high-tension power cables are not underground or ducted. Currently, there are discrepancies in the development plan where there is no clear demarcation of areas for construction of power sub-stations. The Reliance Infra (transmission) is facing a problem in constructing one such sub-station in Bandra-Kurla Complex due to dispute over the land ownership with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority.
Mr Bawankule further said that the BEST power supply undertaking too had pointed out the delay in transfer of land ownership.
