An electric grid substation at Kandra, which is expected to ease the power crisis in Dhanbad, is likely to be made functional within a couple of days.

A team from Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (JBVNL) on Thursday tested the substation by charging it in the presence of the officials of Jharkhand Urja Sancharan Limited.

The 250MW substation was set up by Jharkhand Urja Sancharan Limited more than 18 months ago to reduce the dependence on Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) for power.

Confirming the development, Ravindra Rai, executive engineers of Jharkhand Urja Sancharan Nigam, said, “Following the successful testing, JBVNL can now draw power up to 50MW from the new substation, which is connected to the Dumka power grid.”

He said the substation would be also be connected to the Lalpania power grid of Tenughat Vidyut Nigam (TVNL) in Bokaro soon.

Pratosh Kumar, general manger of JBVNL’s Dhanbad area, said, “The new arrangement will help us bring down our dependence on DVC for power purchase. We will start drawing electricity from the Dumka grid through the Kandra-based substation very soon.”

Initially, the facility will solve the problem in the urban areas of Dhanbad, but gradually the entire district will be benefited as substations, including those located in the rural areas, get connected to the Kandra grid substation.

Dhanbad consumes around 272MW daily.

However, JBVNL sometimes have to make do with 225MW from DVC owing to a breakdown or glitch in its plants.

The new substation will help JBVNL make up for the shortfall in supply from DVC.

Since September 29, just ahead of the festive season, 20-22 hour power supply is being carried out in Dhanbad every day.

The problem had peaked during the summer months this year when the residents got electricity for less than 14 hours per day.

Ashok Chaurasia, owner of garment shop at Binod Market in Hirapur, said, “We are expecting the situation to improve as the power crisis is not only affecting the studies of our children, but also our business. Customers don’t want to stay for longer periods in our shops during power cuts. The power back-up facility also gets exhausted due to long spell of power cuts.”

Notably, the foundation stone of the Kandra substation was laid by the then energy minister Rajendra Singh on December, 2013 in Kandra Industrial Area in Govindpur in the presence of then animal husbandry minister Mannan Mallick and former Tundi MLA Mathura Prasad Mahto.