Latest news with #ChandigarhPowerDistributionLimited
Hindustan Times
25-07-2025
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh chief secy directs CPDL to curb power outages in city
Chief secretary Rajeev Verma on Thursday directed Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited (CPDL) to minimise power outages and ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to avoid public inconvenience. Verma expressed concern over the recent seven-hour-long blackout that affected multiple sectors after a busbar malfunctioned due to moisture ingress at the Sector-56 Sub Station. Several key initiatives undertaken by CPDL to strengthen the city's power infrastructure were presented. (HT photo for representation) Verma was chairing a review meeting to assess CPDL's progress and key developments since it took over electricity distribution responsibilities in Chandigarh on February 1, 2025. CPDL officials informed that anti-hygroscopic paint had been applied as a monsoon precaution, but it failed to prevent the fault. To mitigate future risks, dehumidifiers will now be deployed at substations. Several key initiatives undertaken by CPDL to strengthen the city's power infrastructure were presented. These included the installation of three 20 MVA power transformers and the replacement of 28 distribution transformers to ensure a stable power supply. Officials highlighted that comprehensive maintenance across grid substations unlocked an additional 59 MVA capacity, enabling CPDL to handle the city's record peak demand of 465 MW. The chief secretary was apprised of the steps taken to enhance consumer grievance redressal. The 24×7 call centre's capacity has been significantly boosted—manpower increased from 17 to 52 and call lines expanded from 10 to 50. Additionally, 49 complaint centre executives and 4 supervisors have been deployed for faster issue resolution. To improve field response, 100 outsourced fault response team (FRT) members have been engaged, along with 80 technical staff and 20 system support assistants. As a result, 95% of the outages reported in July were restored within two hours. It was also informed that 72 employees transferred from the UT administration have been promoted on current duty charge basis. Progress under the PM Surya Ghar–Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG-MBY) was also reviewed, along with key challenges and areas where CPDL requires administrative support. The meeting was attended by secretary engineering Prerna Puri, chief engineer CB Ojha, senior CPDL officials, and representatives from the Chandigarh administration.
Indian Express
24-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Chandigarh power utility told to curb outages, ramp up response
The Chandigarh Administration has asked Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited (CPDL) to bring down power outages and improve service reliability, as the city grapples with repeated supply disruptions barely five months after the private company took over electricity distribution. At a review meeting on Wednesday, Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma pulled up CPDL over a recent seven-hour blackout that hit multiple sectors after moisture caused a busbar flash at the Sector 56 substation. Officials admitted that the anti-hygroscopic paint applied ahead of the monsoon had failed and said dehumidifiers would now be deployed to prevent similar breakdowns. The meeting, attended by Secretary (engineering) Prerna Puri, Chief Engineer C B Ojha, senior CPDL executives and administration officials, also took stock of measures to strengthen the city's power infrastructure. CPDL reported that it had installed three 20 MVA power transformers and replaced 28 distribution transformers, unlocking an additional 59 MVA capacity. These measures enabled the utility to meet Chandigarh's highest-ever peak demand of 465 MW. Officials said the utility had expanded its 24×7 call centre, scaling manpower from 17 to 52, and increasing phone lines fivefold to handle consumer complaints. Fault response capacity was augmented with 100 outsourced technicians, 80 in-house technical staff and 20 support assistants, helping restore 95 per cent of outages within two hours in July. The administration also reviewed progress under the PM Surya Ghar–Muft Bijli Yojana and CPDL's manpower integration, with 72 employees transferred from the UT promoted on a current duty charge basis. The performance review comes amid public concern over the frequency of power cuts this monsoon and the transition from the erstwhile electricity department to CPDL. The administration is banking on the private operator to modernise a network long dogged by capacity constraints and ageing equipment, with consumer expectations of faster response and more reliable supply running high. CPDL, which took charge on February 1, flagged areas where it required the administration's support to speed up its upgrade plans. The roadmap ahead, including measures to strengthen field response and grievance redressal, was also discussed at the meeting.
Hindustan Times
12-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh: CPDL waives test report required for domestic connections up to 10 KW
The Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited (CPDL) has waived the mandatory requirement of submitting a test report from a licensed electrical contractor for domestic consumers with a load of up to 10 kilowatts. The move by the CPDL aims to facilitate the consumers with hassle-free process of applying for the release of electricity connection. The self-declaration form is user-friendly and can be filled out without any technical support. (HT File) Earlier, applicants were required to furnish an electrical contractor's test report while applying for an electricity connection. Now, they can simply submit a self-understanding along with a self-assessed load declaration attached to the Application and Agreement (A&A) form. The self-declaration form is user-friendly and can be filled out without any technical support. The officials, however, clarified that if a consumer still chooses to submit a test report from a licenced electrical contractor, CPDL will continue to accept it. This consumer-centric move brings Chandigarh in line with similar practices already in place in neighbouring states such as Punjab and Haryana, ensuring smooth processing of domestic electricity connections.
Hindustan Times
01-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Chandigarh: Power users get chance to declare actual load
In a move aimed at ensuring uninterrupted power supply and improving electricity distribution, the Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited (CPDL) has launched a Voluntary Declaration Scheme (VDS) for domestic and commercial electricity consumers. The initiative, effective from July 1 to July 31, 2025, provides consumers a one-time opportunity to declare their actual power load without facing penalties. According to CPDL officials, over the years, many households and businesses have significantly increased their electricity consumption. However, a large number of consumers have not applied to revise their sanctioned load accordingly. (HT File) According to CPDL officials, over the years, many households and businesses have significantly increased their electricity consumption. However, a large number of consumers have not applied to revise their sanctioned load accordingly. This discrepancy between the sanctioned and actual usage has made it difficult for the utility to plan and manage power distribution effectively. 'By declaring their actual power load, consumers can support us in optimising electricity distribution infrastructure, reducing disruptions and maintaining a steady supply to their premises,' said Arun Kumar Verma, director, CPDL. To make the process hassle-free, CPDL has introduced both online and offline submission options. 'Consumers can fill a form available on the official website — — and upon completing all necessary steps, they will receive an acknowledgment on their mobile phones. Alternatively, consumers can visit their respective sub-divisional officer (SDO) offices to submit the form in person,' said the CPDL director. Officials clarified that the scheme is being implemented under the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) regulations, 2018, and is designed to be both practical and consumer-centric. The CPDL has stated that no penalty will be imposed on consumers for declaring excess load currently in use. Moreover, there will be no requirement to submit a test report, and the newly declared load will be considered regularised from the date of application. Once the scheme concludes on July 31, CPDL plans to conduct a comprehensive survey of domestic and commercial premises across the city. The survey will aim to identify connections where the actual load exceeds the sanctioned limit. 'Appropriate action will be taken against owners found violating the norms based on the survey findings,' officials said, underscoring the importance of voluntary compliance during the scheme period.
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
UT residents can now get excess power regularised
Chandigarh: To ensure uninterrupted power supply, Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited (CPDL) has introduced the Voluntary Declaration Scheme (VDS) for both domestic and commercial connections. The power discom has asked consumers to declare their actual electricity load under the scheme. This is a one-time opportunity for the consumers to avail themselves of the benefits of the scheme, as per the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) regulations 2018. Over the years, the power load of many domestic and commercial connections has increased manifold. However, consumers did not put in an application to enhance their sanctioned load accordingly. CPDL officials said through a simple and easy process, consumers can now share details of their load or demand to get it enhanced, enabling the utility to plan, augment, and manage the power distribution system more efficiently. Arun Kumar Verma, director, CPDL, said, "By declaring their actual power load, consumers can support us in optimising electricity distribution infrastructure, reducing disruptions, and maintaining a steady supply to their premises." Officials said the process for declaring the actual power load has been made more consumer-friendly. All they need to do is fill out a form online at the CPDL website, Upon completing all the required steps, they will receive an acknowledgment on their mobile phones. The form can also be submitted offline by visiting the respective SDO office. The officials clarified that no penalty will be imposed on the consumer for the declaration of excess load, and the declared load will be deemed to be regularised from the date of application. Also, there will be no need to submit a test report. The validity of the scheme will be for a month from July 1 to July 31, 2025. The officials said after the closure of the VDS, CPDL will conduct a survey to identify domestic and commercial establishments where the actual power load exceeds the sanctioned limit. Appropriate action will be taken against the owners of establishments found to violate the prescribed norms based on the survey findings, they added. Once accurate information about the actual power load is available, power distribution arrangements will be optimised accordingly. This will help reduce breakdowns and faults, ultimately ensuring a more seamless and reliable power supply. BOX CONSUMERS TAKE NOTE All that consumers need to do is fill out a form online at the CPDL website, Upon completing all the required steps, they will receive an acknowledgment on their mobile phones The form can also be submitted offline by visiting the respective subdivisonal officer's office No penalty will be imposed on the consumer for the declaration of excess load being utilised by them, and the declared load will be deemed to be regularised from the date of application QUOTE By declaring their actual power load, consumers can support us in optimising electricity distribution infrastructure, reducing disruptions, and maintaining a steady supply to their premises Arun Kumar Verma, director, Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited
