Bhubaneswar, April 9: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi today inaugurated three new grid substations and eight important transmission lines developed by Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited. The initiative is aimed at providing world-class, reliable, and uninterrupted electricity services to residents of Bhubaneswar and nearby regions.
The newly commissioned substations have been set up at Balianta, Satyanagar, and SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, with a total investment of around ₹600 crore. Completed within a span of one year, these projects are expected to benefit nearly 2.2 million consumers.
The infrastructure also connects Bhubaneswar to alternative sources of electricity. This advancement is set to ensure consistent and high-quality power supply for the growing urban population.
The Chief Minister noted that although these projects had received approval long ago, they were delayed due to court cases and other challenges. After the new government assumed office, focused efforts were made to resolve these issues, allowing work to begin and be completed within a year.
Emphasizing the importance of determination, he remarked that strong willpower can turn the impossible into reality. Over the past year, four major substations, including the Nayapalli grid, have been completed, reflecting the government’s commitment to strengthening infrastructure.
Highlighting future energy needs, the Chief Minister stated that electricity demand in Bhubaneswar is expected to double by 2030, rising from 1,000 MW to 2,000 MW.
To meet this demand, the state is investing in advanced and resilient systems. The introduction of GIS-based substations and modern transmission networks will ensure uninterrupted, high-quality, and dependable electricity supply, supporting industrial growth, business expansion, and the overall development of urban life.
The state is also aligning its power sector reforms with the Digital India vision. For the first time, digital grid substations have been introduced in Odisha, and there are plans to develop a 765 kV transmission system for the capital region. OPTCL has already made significant progress by operating around 70 substations through remote control systems, improving efficiency, enabling faster fault resolution, and optimizing manpower usage.
During the review of the power supply situation, the Chief Minister directed Tata Power to introduce additional feeder lines to strengthen electricity supply in several areas, including Bhimpur, Uttampur, Gangeswar, Pandara, Jagannath Nagar, Mangaraj, and Palasuni. These steps are expected to further enhance reliability and eliminate issues such as low voltage.
Deputy Chief Minister and Energy Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fulfilling its promises. He stated that the newly established substations would serve as a strong energy backbone for Bhubaneswar and nearby areas, ensuring that residents no longer face low-voltage issues.
He also acknowledged the importance of public cooperation in executing such large-scale projects and appreciated OPTCL for completing the work on schedule.
