Patna Electric Supply Undertaking (Pesu) is set to construct nine sub-stations to ensure better and smooth power supply in the city.

At present, Pesu’s 48 power sub-stations in 11 divisions supply power to 4.25 lakh consumers. The new sub-stations would boost power by ensuring uninterrupted supply.

Pesu had earlier planned to build five sub-stations but later decided to build four more. “We are getting reports of over loading from some areas, especially where constructions have come up in recent months. We plan to build new sub-stations at various divisions to reduce the load and provide better and quality power. We have carried out a survey for this and identified land,” a senior Pesu official said.

The nine sub-stations would come up at Saguna Mor, Ashiana Nagar, NIT campus, Gandhi Maidan and Transport Nagar (planned earlier) and also at Buddha Colony, New Punaichak, Bahadurpur Housing and Gardanibagh, Housing.

Pesu sources said the proposal has been sent to the authorities concerned for transfer of land to the energy department. Once land is transferred for the purpose, Pesu would send its proposal to the distribution company to get final approval.

A power sub-station would be built on around 1,200sqm and cost around Rs 4-4.5 crore. The cost does not include that of land. The Pesu official believed land would be transferred to it either free of cost or for a token amount. Construction of a sub- station would take four to six months.

It would be built under restructured accelerated power development and reforms programme (RAPDRP) (Part B) scheme, meant to strengthen distribution network under which Rs 500 crore would be spent in Patna alone.

Under the programme, work to strengthen and augment power distribution capacity in 64 towns or cities having population of over 30,000 as per 2001 census would be carried out within three years.

It involves a whole lot of exercises, from laying new cables — aerial as well as underground — to installation of new 33KV & 11KV feeders, construction of new power sub-stations, capacity augmentation of the sub-stations, installing new poles and new distribution transformers, capacity augmentation of distribution transformers, purchase of cable fault locator, AB switch and installation of safety equipment among others.