Rourkela: The upgrade of power distribution network are going on in full swing in the district.

Authorities of Western Electricity Supply Company of Odisha (Wesco) hope that the projects will be over in time and enhance the quality of power supply in the whole of Sundargar district.

Wesco executive engineer A.N. Meher said: "Once the upgrade and renovation works are done, the whole district will benefit immensely so far power supply is concerned."

In the upgrade phase, Wesco is setting up 30 sub-stations of 33/11KV capacity for streamlining power distribution.

"The whole project is being done in three phases, and the third phase will be over by the end of this year. So far, four sub-stations have been completed and fully charged under phase I. Two sub-stations have been completed in phase II and are on trial run. Rest all the sub-stations are in various phases of completion, and we would complete those in time," he said.

"Once the sub-stations are charged the entire district will benefit. The project is taking time because of the district's difficult topography," said Meher.

The district has four major areas - Rourkela, Bonai, Biramitrapur and Rajgangpur. "The renovation is being done under the Integrated Power Development System scheme of the government," said the executive engineer.

Intermediate electric poles are being erected near the old, weak and vulnerable ones.

"Besides, the conductor or new wires are replacing the old ones," said Meher.

Explaining how the renovation would help, the executive engineer said the conductors would not snap quickly during peak hour.

"This snapping of wires during peak hours during summer is the biggest problem, and we are taking care of that," he said.

"During the renovation, Wesco used to snap power supply for four hours. But now as it is exam time, this practice has been stopped. We are trying to finish the renovation before summer, else after monsoon by November," he said.

Bootleggers

Police on Friday arrested two bootleggers at port township for carrying out illicit liquor trade.

The arrested persons - Tapas Mallick and Siba Patra booked under sections 47, 46 and 29 of the Odisha Excise Act - were later remanded to jail custody, the police said.