Patna, March 7: Summer could be more comfortable this year for residents of the state capital, as Patna Electric Supply Undertaking (Pesu) has identified 500 places where cases of frequent burning of distribution transformers have been reported.

Sources said burning of transformers is a major cause of frequent power cuts in summer. Pesu has decided to enhance the capacity of the existing transformers or provide new ones to prevent them from burning out.

“We have carried out micro analysis of the vulnerable points in Patna, where distribution transformer burning cases have been reported often. We would ensure that the transformers do not burn frequently this summer because of overloading. For this, we would carry out regular maintenance work of such transformers,” Pesu general manager-cum-chief engineer SKP Singh told The Telegraph today.

He added that Pesu would either install an additional transformer or enhance capacity of the existing ones. “We would also transfer the heavy load on one transformer to a less burdened one.

Asked what corrective steps Pesu would be initiating to overcome the problems, Singh said: “We will implement both technical and administrative measures.”

Under technical measures, Pesu would either install additional transformer or enhance the capacity of the existing ones. As part of the administrative measures, Pesu officials would conduct raids to find out whether transformers are overloaded because of power theft. Hooking is a major cause of overloading on transformers, said the officer.

He added that the Pesu officials would also check if the transmission power lines were dilapidated or there was leakage in transformers.

“If the transformer at a particular place is overloaded, and customers are suffering because of it, we would install additional transformers at these places,” he said.

Singh also said: “Since the load requirement in summer (between April and August) is double compared to the cooler months (September to March), we get bulk complaints of transformer burning. We are trying our best to address these problems to lessen the problems faced by our customers during the sweltering summer months.

Asked about the cost Pesu would incur while carrying out its plan, an official said: “It all depends on the work being conducted. If additional transformers are installed, Pesu will have to shell out Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh per transformer.”About 3,700 transformers cater to the needs of around three 3.25 lakh consumers in the capital under the jurisdiction of Pesu, which has divided the city into 10 divisions from Patna City to Danapur area for power supply.

Of the 500 overloaded transformers in the capital, about half are most vulnerable. Pesu had replaced 75 of them last year.