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Vashi2Panvel.com: Navi Mumbai: June 20: A famous joke doing the rounds in mobile phones these days is that the powers-that-be are praying that the rain gods do not expose them. ‘Coz whatever the arrangements they’ve done, it would take only one day of rains to undo them. But Satish Karpe, MSEDC (Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company), Vashi Circle, Superintending Engineer is all geared up to welcome the rains. Karpe took charge of his new office on March 28. His two months in office boasts of landmark achievements, better schemes and timesaving proposals. In an interview with Vashi2Panvel.com, Satish Karpe sits cosy in his huge chamber and discusses how well equipped his department is to handle the rains.

What have you planned for this monsoon?
We are ready for the rains. We are setting up control rooms that would be operational from 7am to 10am and if need be for all the 24hrs. The fully equipped control room will be used for emergency purposes. It consists of three vehicles, an engineer, a lineman and maintenance material. We have also set up a rapid action squad for emergency purposes. During monsoons, problems occur because of cable fault, transformer slip-up or line break-down. So, to avoid these errors, MSEDC has installed the control room. We have also sent a proposal for walkie-talkie; that would make the communication easier.

What is the status of the recovery drive targeted towards those who doctor their meters?
The recovery drive is our routine work. It’s been several months since we have doing it on a very regular basis. Still, we catch at least 4-5 wrong-doers daily.

Have you taken any steps for electricity conservation?
Yes. First, we are trying to spread messages through advertisements in the form of posters, hoardings etc. Secondly, we are trying to strike a deal with major electricity companies to provide power-saving lamps to our consumers. The bulbs would range between Rs.100 to Rs.130 and would be distributed by MSEB. We will credit the money for the bulbs through the monthly electricity bills.

So, by when can the consumers expect these bulbs?
We are already in talks with Philips India Ltd, Asin Electronics Ltd, Osram Ltd and Phoenix Lamps. We hope to strike a deal within this month. If all goes well, residents can avail the power-saving bulbs very soon.

Any major developments on the infrastructure front?
MSEDC has plans to invest 850cr in five years in Navi Mumbai. We have already made a two-year plan. We have plans of 500 cr for the coming two years. The investment is only for infrastructure development. With the increase in population in Navi Mumbai, the demand for electricity has soared and we need to meet this demand.

How do you plan to utilise this money in the near future ?
We will invest Rs. 40 crore to strengthen the existing capacities. The existing machinery that includes transformers and other equipment at the respective sub stations will see a major overhaul under this new project. This year we have set up new four substations--Kamothe, Sanpada and Koparkhairne, while another one is coming up at Mhape. Also the substation and the major transformers in the satellite city will be interconnected through underground cables that would help in avoiding any power failure during monsoons.

Will loadshedding continue now that the Dabhol power plant has been set up?
Yes, loadshedding will continue but the hours would depend upon the demand for electricity. Dabhol power plant has not been of much help because the demand is much higher than it can supply. Right now the supply-demand gap is of the range of 4500MW and Dabhol Power Plant is supplying only 700MW.

How has the trifurcation of MSEB helped?
I would only say that with trifurcation, accountability has increased. Earlier the state monthly collection was Rs.1000cr. Now, it’s to the tunes of Rs.1400cr. The difference could be owing to an increase in fuel charges and the recovery drive that is going on in full swing.

You took up office in April 2006. What has been the landmark achievement for you?
It’s been almost two and half months since I joined. There have been several landmark achievements in these two months. What I consider important is the collection of funds from the recovery drive. All these months, the target had been 85cr but since the past two months it has soared to 108 cr.

Swati Pandey