PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun
The Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) is working on an ambitious project of electrification of border outposts (BoPs) of Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and villages located on the Indo- China border.
On Saturday, the UPCL managing director AK Yadav held a review of the grid-based electrification works of BoPs of ITBP and Vibrant Village Programme operated in the border areas adjoining the India-China border. Senior engineers of the corporation and representatives of the work execution agencies attended the meeting.
In the meeting, the MD reviewed current status of the works being done and the creation of infrastructure for providing grid-based electricity supply to 43 BoPs of ITBP in the districts of Pithoragarh, Chamoli and Uttarkashi and to 882 houses in eight border villages identified under the Vibrant Village Programme. The meeting discussed the extension of power lines, line route determination, pole erection, conductor stringing, installation of distribution transformers of appropriate capacity and LT network works.
The MD directed that all works should be completed at a fast pace in accordance with a phased action plan, so that electricity supply can be ensured in the respective ITBP posts and selected villages by the festival of Deepawali this year. He said that availability of electricity in border areas is not just a basic facility, but also a foundation for strengthening the national security system and the sustainable economic development of the local community. During the meeting, special discussions were held on the challenges related to difficult geographical conditions, limited transportation facilities, adverse weather and execution of work in the high Himalayan region.
The MD directed the work execution agencies to ensure advance availability of materials, timely transportation to sites, deployment of mechanical resources and adequate human resources. He stated that regular inspections, quality testing and strict adherence to safety standards must be ensured at project sites.
