Power distribution: OERC pulls up REL-owned Southco

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Bhubaneswar, Jul 10 : The Orissa Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) has said that the power distribution system in southern Orissa will collapse at any time.

OERC came down heavily on Reliance Energy-owned distribution company Southern Electricity Supply Company of Orissa Ltd (Southco). It said Southco's distribution system is so poorly maintained that it may collapse at any time.

Three Reliance Energy-owned distribution companies-Southco, Wesco and Nesco-are into the retail business in the southern, western and northern regions of the state, respectively.

A two-member inquiry team appointed by the OERC said in its report, "The distribution elements are either not maintained or maintained piecemeal. Routine maintenance is totally absent and the maintenance manual is not followed in any of the sub-stations." The team, comprising BD Patro and SP Panda, said entire southern Orissa would be plunged into darkness because of mis-management by the distribution company.

The team visited all the 33/11 KV sub-stations of the two electrical divisions of Berhampur town. It attributed the frequent interruption of power supply to negligence by the Southco management.

The commission has said that the distribution company's management does not think in a structured manner, lines are not patrolled and neither is other periodic supervision done.

OERC said the utility should focus on time-bound maintenance work. The body has directed the chief executive of the utility to submit an action plan on the basis of the recommendations of the inquiry team by July 31.