City automation project gains ground in Kochi

KOCHI: The much-awaited City Automation Project of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), aimed to minimise the power loss as well as to strengthen the existing lines, seems to be finally gaining some momentum with around 170 km underground 11 KV lines laid in Kochi out of the proposed 200 km.“Around 100 km of the 167 km (11 KV lines) laid has been already energised. The remaining underground cables will be laid as soon as the KSEB gets sanction for road cutting from the authorities concerned,” said Kesavadas V, Deputy Chief Engineer(Distribution Circle), KSEB. He added that although a part of the cable has been energised, it will be a few years before the consumers get the full benefit as the project has only started. After completing the laying of underground lines and installation of Ring Main Units, the project under the Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Program (R-APDRP) will involve the IT-enabling network so that the entire system can be remotely monitored to spot errors, power loss, power theft, etc.