The UP government is focusing on power generation, transmission, and distribution

Lucknow : During the monsoon session of the Assembly, the Chief Minister highlighted the state’s progress in the energy sector and said that a provision of Rs 2,000 crore in the supplementary budget to ensure uninterrupted electricity for residents.

He added, “In the coming years, the state will generate an additional 8,000 megawatts of electricity through thermal power projects.”

The Chief Minister emphasized that efforts are being made across all three areas of energy: generation, transmission, and distribution, with special attention from the government in each area.

The Chief Minister stated, “We are upgrading our infrastructure to match the significant investment coming into the state and the large population. When we assumed office in 2017, electricity had not reached 1,21,000 majras, but we have since electrified them. We also provided free electricity connections to 1 crore 76 lakh families.”

He added, “Over 14 lakh farmers with tubewell connections were unable to pay their electricity bills. We have waived electricity bills from April 2023 while making provision of funds for government and private tube wells. Additionally, we introduced a one-time settlement (OTS) scheme for their previous outstanding bills. Going forward, we will equip them with solar panels to establish a permanent solution. To date, more than 60,000 solar panels have been provided to farmers for their tubewells.”

The Chief Minister highlighted that the Saryu Canal National Project, which was initiated in 1972, had been pending ever since. At that time, the Planning Commission estimated the cost at Rs 100 crore.
He explained, “Upon forming our government, we prioritized this project and worked on it in mission mode. We acquired the necessary land and coordinated with the Prime Minister, who allocated funds through the PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana. In 2021, PM Modi inaugurated the project. Since then, the irrigation system for 14 lakh hectares of land in the districts of Bahraich, Balrampur, Gonda, Basti, Gorakhpur, Shravasti, Siddharthnagar, Maharajganj, and Sant Kabir Nagar, which border Nepal, has been significantly enhanced.”

He noted that over the past seven years, arrangements have been made for the irrigation of an additional 22 lakh hectares of land.

The Chief Minister noted that in 2016, the state’s daily electricity demand was 16,000 megawatts, which has now risen to 31,000 to 32,000 megawatts. Despite this increase, the Power Corporation is working to ensure an uninterrupted supply.

“Prior to 2017, there was inadequate electricity infrastructure—villages were without power, there were no industries, and tubewell connections were not being provided. Today, we have established electricity connections, set up industries, and made extensive arrangements for power. We are delivering 24-hour electricity to district headquarters, 20 to 22 hours to tehsil headquarters, and 18 to 20 hours to rural areas.”

The Chief Minister also mentioned that this year, 31 districts in the state have experienced significantly lower rainfall, which has created challenges for hydro power generation.

CM Yogi stated that the government is supporting the power corporation with a substantial subsidy. “We are providing Rs 46,000 crore to the corporation. While investing this money in state development could yield different results, it is essential to address the current need.”

He added that the supplementary budget includes a provision of Rs 2,000 crore for the power corporation to ensure that the people of the state receive uninterrupted electricity.

The Chief Minister stated that to address consumer interests and issues, responsibilities have been assigned to each DISCOM. He emphasized that the toll-free number 1912 must remain active and that accountability of every feeder has been fixed.

He said that this is a transitional period with significant changes in energy sector infrastructure, which might lead to some issues. However, he assured that efforts are underway to achieve a permanent solution.