Haridwar to get Rs 32 crore transmission upgrade
Haridwar’s power network is set for a major upgrade after the Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission (UERC) approved a Rs 31.54 crore project to strengthen electricity supply in the city ahead of Kumbh Mela 2027.
The project will upgrade two key 132 kV transmission lines feeding Haridwar by replacing ageing conductors that have been in service since 1978. The move is aimed at improving network reliability, reducing the risk of overloads and supporting rising power demand from both industrial and domestic consumers.
Demand
UERC noted that two transmission lines serving Haridwar are already operating close to their limits. The 132 kV Jwalapur–Roorkee line has recorded loading of 96%, while the 132 kV SIDCUL–Jwalapur line has reached 94%.
According to the Commission, if the main 220 kV feeders supplying the SIDCUL substation are unavailable, a significant portion of the load would shift to these older lines, increasing the risk of overloading and supply disruptions. The issue is expected to become more critical during Kumbh Mela 2027, when Haridwar is expected to witness a sharp increase in electricity demand.
Upgrade
The approved scheme involves replacing existing ACSR Panther conductors with High-Temperature Low-Sag (HTLS) conductors on the 132 kV SIDCUL–Jwalapur Circuit-I and 132 kV Jwalapur–Roorkee transmission lines.
The upgrade is expected to increase the power-carrying capacity of the lines and improve supply reliability for consumers across Haridwar, including industrial areas such as SIDCUL, Bahadrabad and IP-4.
UERC did not approve conductor replacement on the 132 kV SIDCUL–Roorkee transmission line. The Commission observed that the line is currently operating at 68% of its capacity and can continue to meet demand for the next few years without immediate augmentation.
The approved project cost is Rs 31.54 crore, excluding Interest During Construction (IDC). The project is expected to be completed within 12 months.
The featured photograph is for representation only.
