Darbhanga, Areraj grid substations opened

PATNA: Lamenting that Bihar is getting electricity from central pool at a higher rate compared to other states, CM Nitish Kumar on Sunday asked the Centre to fix equal rate of electricity across the country.
Laying foundation stones of several power projects and inaugurating grid substations at Areraj (400/132kV) and Darbhanga (400/220kV) worth a total of Rs1462.36 crore, Nitish said Bihar has been getting electricity from the central pool as per the state’s allocated quota at different power generating plants.“But the rate of electricity which Bihar gets is higher than other states. The rate should be equal across the country like train fare,” he argued.
The CM lauded the efforts of Bihar State Power (Holding) Corporation Limited (BSPHCL) officials, especially its CMD Pratyaya Amrit, for setting up the country’s first all-woman power grid substation at Karbigahia in Patna. “It will definitely raise the women’s morale,” he said.
Nitish also honoured the 11 women employees of Karbigahia substation, including assistant electrical engineer Monica Kumari, who leads the team. Energy minister Vijendra Prasad Yadav said, “It’s the first of its kind in the country.”
Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi said the state government has fixed a target of connecting all hamlets with electricity by the end December 2017 and all households by December 2018. “In the third phase, we will ensure electricity to all agricultural fields. Around 8 lakh farmers in the state will be provided electricity in the next five years. There will be separate agriculture grid for farmers,” he said.