The government has decided to replace all the low capacity 10, 16, 25 and 40KVA distribution transformers with high capacity ones in the rural areas.

These low-capacity transformers, which were termed “tullu transformers” by former chief minister Nitish Kumar, were installed during the 10th and 11th plan period under Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY). There are around 14,000 such defunct and damaged low distribution transformers in the state.

“The energy department has sanctioned Rs 333.49 crore for both the distribution companies — North Bihar Power Distribution Company and South Bihar Power Distribution Company — for replacing the low-capacity transformers,” a source in the energy department said, adding that Rs 217.37 crore had been earmarked for the north Bihar firm.

The source added that the low-capacity transformers are expected to be replaced either with 63 or 100 KVA ones.

Under the RGGVY, villages with at least 100 households are being electrified in Twelfth Five-Year Plan (2012-2017), the source said.

The move would help the government in ensuring uninterrupted power supply for irrigation in the rural areas as the state government is planning to lay a dedicated feeder for irrigation, the sources said.

Work is on to lay “dedicated feeder for irrigation” in Patna’s Naubatpur block on a pilot project basis, they added.

Better service pledge

The power franchise company in Bhagalpur pledged better services, including relief from incorrect billing, from March 2015.

At a news meet called on Wednesday evening, chief operating officer of Bhagalpur Electricity Distribution Pvt. Ltd Amit Gupta said: “We were unable to properly generate revenue through bill collection because of manpower crunch and lack of a billing software. Now, we have an advanced software, along with skilled persons and sub-agencies to correctly read meters and generate bills. We have also started e-bill facility.”