Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Power and New & Renewable Energy, Raj Kumar Singh laid the foundation stone for construction of the line in, line out (LILO) of Kishenganj-Darbhanga 400kV transmission line at Saharsa in Bihar through a virtual event. The execution agency for the Rs 1 billion worth project is POWERGRID Ltd., a central PSU under the Ministry of Power.
While praising the POWERGRID for its efforts Singh said that the Maharatna has played an important role in connecting every state and region with the national grid, especially in Bihar. The inter-regional transmission systems had helped the eastern state in accessing the power supply from other states at cheaper rates. He further said that on completion of the Kishenganj-Darbhanga transmission line project, the power scenario of the Saharsa district including Supaul, Khagaria and Begusarai districts shall improve. The low voltage problem of North Bihar would be solved significantly and the above districts shall be benefited.
Saharsa is located in the extreme northern part of Bihar and is a flood-prone area due to the inflow of water from Nepal. To improve the power scenario in the north Bihar area, one 400/220/132 kV substation is being established by POWERGRID at Saharsa. The substation shall be connected with Patna and Kishenganj through 400 kV Kishanganj-Patna line.
Both Kishanganj and Patna are very far from Saharsa and the transmission line is vulnerable due to several critical river crossing locations. Following a study of north Bihar’s power scenario by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), it was decided to provide additional connection for Saharsa 400 kV substation with Darbhanga as well. The same is planned to be achieved through the construction of the LILO of the Kishanganj-Darbhanga line.