The South Bihar Power Distribution Company Ltd (SBPDCL) has taken a slew of measures to strengthen distribution and ensure quality supply in 17 districts falling under its jurisdiction, including Patna.

The company would spend Rs 322.15 crore to carry out various activities to give a boost to distribution. The work to be undertaken include replacement of old dilapidated wires and faulty transformers and augmenting capacity of power transformers at power sub-stations. The firm would also replace burnt or overloaded distribution transformers with new or higher capacity ones.

'In order to improve supply system, the energy department has sanctioned Rs 126.54 crore to replace old and rickety wires of 18,531km in 17 districts of SBPDCL's jurisdiction,' a senior official told The Telegraph.

The move would prevent any untoward incidents owing to snapping of wires besides increasing the capacity to bear the load, he said, making it clear that it would improve supply. Of 72,460.25km of wires, around 40,000km of dilapidated wires have been replaced.

The chief minister, time and again especially during review meetings of the energy department, has expressed concern over dilapidated wires and directed the power company officials to replace all the 72,000km wires in a phase-wise manner on a priority basis to provide unhindered supply.

The department has also sanctioned Rs 67.92 crore for timely replacement of faulty and burnt power transformers, sources said adding that the government has also taken an in principle decision to install power transformers of not less than 5MVA to tide over the problem of increasing load on the sub-stations.

The company has also got Rs 127.69 crore in its kitty for timely replacement of distribution transformers besides installation of high capacity distribution transformers in order to save those from burning out owing to overload.