The Maharashtra government has announced a spending of Rs 2,500 crore annually to develop infrastructure of state-owned distribution company Mahavitaran (MSEDCL).
 
Out of the total amount, Rs 1,500 crore will be spent on energisation of conventional agriculture pumps and Rs 1,000 crore will go towards strengthening the infrastructure of industrial and urban areas. Additionally the government will implement the new agriculture and renewable energy policies in which solar-based agriculture pumps will be installed and solar power would be made available to farmers during day time.
 
Addressing a review meeting of the Mahavitaran officials in Mumbai, energy minister Nitin Raut said the funds would be spent for infrastructure development including erection of new substations, installation and distribution of transformers and construction of HT and LT Lines.
 
The minister said that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government is trying to attract industries by strengthening and creating more power infrastructure in Maharashtra industrial development corporation (MIDC) areas.
 
Explaining the figures, Raut added, “We have focused on infrastructure development in industrial sector. We will spend Rs 800 crore for power infrastructure development in MIDC areas in the state in next three years. Rs 3,000 crore would be spent in the next three years to strengthen infrastructure in urban and industrial areas including addition of new substations, new transformers, and bifurcation of existing sub-divisions. New lines would be constructed and many more transformers would be installed. With the increase in consumer numbers there is a need to create more sub-divisional offices by bifurcating the existing ones having more consumers above the norms. Apart from this, we will spend Rs 1,200 crore in next three years to strengthen power infrastructure in urban areas.”
 
He said his office was in receipt of several letters from MPs, MLAs and the public demanding strengthening of distribution network and to address the issues power supply in their respective areas. Given these reasons he has decided to make dedicated financial provision to the same. He has directed all regional directors to finalise a time-bound action plan in a week to implementation of the plan.
 
As per government estimates, there are 4.85 lakh unauthorised agriculture pump connections out of which 30  are within 30 metres from the electric supply pole. Raut has now directed MSEDCL to regularise all unauthorised agriculture pump connections within the 30-metre distance from the electric supply pole till January 26. For unauthorised connections beyond 30 metres, he has directed officials to regularise them by March 31 this year.