Implementation of Rural Electrification Scheme – RGGVY, in Uttar Pradesh

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Abstract
Based on a survey of more than 2000 villages,
in this paper, an attempt has been made to point out the
defects and shortcomings in the high voltage distribution
system (HVDS) installations built under the Rajeev
Gandhi Gramin Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) of rural
electrification. Avoiding these could have made the
installations much better. Also, it could have been costeffective
and could have resulted in earlier completion of
the project.
I. INTRODUCTION
AJEEV Gandhi Gramin Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY)
is an ambitious scheme of Government of India for rural
electrification. Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) was
the nodal agency for the scheme. The scheme adopted high
voltage distribution system (HVDS) for electrifying the
villages. In the system, 11 kV, high voltage overhead lines
were built and 10 or 16 kVA, 11/0.230 kV, single phase pole
mounted transformers were used. In some districts, 25 kVA,
11/0.4 kV, 3 phase, double pole mounted transformers were
also installed. Consumers were supplied through air-bunched
cables from the distribution boxes, installed along with these
transformers.
In this paper, an attempt has been made to point out defects
and shortcomings in the installations built under the scheme.
Some of these are inherent in the technical specifications
prepared by the distribution companies while others are made
during the execution of work which could have been
completely avoided. Factors causing these are also
investigated.
Observations made in the paper, are based on inspection of
more than 2000 villages electrified under the scheme. These
inspection were performed during the period from August,
2006 to August, 2009.
II. FACTORS AFFECTING THE QUALITY OF WORK
For the execution of project, contracts were given mainly to
big names in Indian electrical industry. Aim of involving
working agencies other than the distribution companies, was
to ensure the good quality of work. However, the aim was
only partially achieved. Factors affecting the quality of work
are as follows:
Assistant Director (Electrical Safety), Government of U.P., Basti Zone, Basti -
272 001 (e-mail: aksahani43[at]gmail.com).
A. Lack of proper supervision:
The working agencies did not have prior experience in rural
electrification work. Also, they did not have necessary human
resources. Most of the companies relied on the retired
personnel of the state electricity boards/corporations and these
people could not change their working habits as per the
requirement of the scheme. Even the agencies were somewhat
negligent about the execution part as their priority was the
supply of materials which was more profit making.
At next stage, at district level, the working agencies employed
local contractors. They were given village-wise contract for
execution of work. Initially, there were not enough
contractors but the amount involved in the scheme attracted
civil contractors, local public representatives, small
politicians, etc. Though these contractors did not have any
experience in this field, they used all means to get the
contract for maximum number of villages. Some of these
contractors employed sub- contractors to carry out the work,
obviously at lower rates.
At last stage, there were not enough labours to carry out the
work simultaneously in all districts of the state. Only the
labours working for the contractors of state electricity boards/
corporations were available. Due to high demand, many
unskilled labours were also involved. These labours changed
the contractors very frequently with increase in their wages.
So finally the labours working for the state electricity boards/
corporations with unskilled ones were to execute the work,
the contractors were not capable of supervising and the
working agencies had the persons cultured in the state
electricity boards/ corporations or inexperienced ones for
supervision. Thus, there was nothing to expect improvement
in the quality of work
B. Negligence by distribution companies:
For each district, the working agency got the survey done,
prepared the line diagram and got it approved by the
distribution companies. But though the installations were
finally to be taken over by the distribution companies, up to
assistant engineer’s level, there was no involvement of
employees of these companies at the planning or execution
level of the project. Its consequences were two fold. First, the
contractor faced lot of difficulties in erecting the poles and
providing the stays. Contractor and the working agency had
to tackle the objections, raised by land owners, on their own
and the supplier was not of any help in selecting proper right
of way for overhead lines. These improperly located poles and
Implementation of Rural Electrification Scheme
– RGGVY, in Uttar Pradesh
A.K. Sahani
R
16th NATIONAL POWER SYSTEMS CONFERENCE, 15th-17th DECEMBER, 2010 567
Department of Electrical Engineering, Univ. College of Engg., Osmania University, Hyderabad, A.P, INDIA.
stays had resulted in frequent road accidents, causing damage
to the installations. On the other hand, contractors enjoyed
freedom in erecting the poles and providing the stays. After
erecting the poles and providing the stays at their will, the
contractor gave the executed line diagram and the agency got
it again approved. Thus, there was no meaning of prior
approval of line diagram as there was no one to look after its
execution. Clearly, no effort was made to make the
installation cost-effective. Contractors erected maximum
number of poles and built unnecessarily lengthy overhead
lines. There are examples of constructing parallel lines for
different villages on both sides of roads, tapping from a much
distant pole of existing line, constructing long sections of
overhead lines and not providing transformers at the end of
these, etc. This misuse of fund could have been stopped by
active involvement of distribution companies at planning and
execution levels.
C. Non-completion of Work:
Erection of poles, providing stays, stringing of conductors and
mounting of transformers do not need much skill and are
most profit making. After completing these work, contractors
got payment up to 70% of the bill. Also, as materials were
used unrestrictedly, much of the materials were left with
them. These contractors never turned up to complete the
work. Later, agencies were to employ other contractors or
their own teams to complete the work such as guarding and
earthing. In this way, the completion of work was delayed and
involvement of different groups resulted in defects of different
nature.
D. Poor Quality of Materials:
Materials were supplied by the working agencies and their
quality was to be ensured by the distribution companies.
Though specific investigation in this regard was not done but
compromise with quality was observed in following
materials-
1) Poles:
8.5 and 9.0 metre PCC poles were used in the project.
Demand of large number of these poles arose with the
commencement of execution of the scheme. Units producing
such poles were not able to meet the demand. Many new units
were established especially for the project. Compromise with
quality of these poles is readily observed. Poles were supplied
with improper curing. As a result, appreciable bending of
poles was very common. Also, it caused breakage of large
number of poles during transportation and handling.
2) Galvanised materials:
Rusting of galvanized materials such as GI wires, stay wires
and metallic fittings was seen in some of the districts.
Clearly, galvanization of these was not proper.
3) Danger boards:
Danger boards, used by one of the major working agencies,
were faded and their printing was unrecognizable. Use of
such danger boards was useless.
4) Under-gauge wire:
One of the working agencies supplied thinner GI wire for 8
SWG, GI wire and resisted much before replacing it.
5) Improper length of electrodes:
In some villages pieces of electrodes were used for earthing.
III. DEFECTS AND SHORTCOMINGS IN INSTALLATIONS
To energize a high voltage installation, rule 63 of Indian
Electricity Rules, 1956 necessitates approval in writing by the
electrical inspector. During this inspection, it was found that
the factors discussed above – lack of proper supervision at
contractor’s or agency’s level, involvement of unskilled
labours, negligence by distribution companies, contractor’s
motive to maximize the profit and their habit to leave the
work incomplete, and supply of inferior quality of materials,
had resulted in the technical defects and shortcomings in the
installations built under the scheme. Some of these are
inherent in the technical specifications prepared by the
distribution companies and others are made while executing
the work.
A. Defects and Shortcomings Inherent in TechnicalSpecifications:
There was no uniformity in the technical specifications
prepared by the different distribution companies. Also, these
were not same for the different districts under the same
distribution company. These specifications violate some of the
provisions of Indian Electricity Rules, 1956. These are as
follows- (rules quoted hereafter are those of Indian Electricity
Rules, 1956.)
1) Earthing of neutral terminal:
Rule 67(1A)(a) provides for the earthing of neutral terminal
of transformer by not less than two separate and distinct
connections. Whereas, in the project single earthing of
neutral terminal by 8 or 6 SWG GI wire was provided.
2) Earthing of metallic parts:
Rule 67(1) read with 67(6) and 61 provides for the earthing of
frames of transformer and distribution box, respectively, by
not less than two separate and distinct connections. Whereas,
only single earthing of the metallic parts by 8 or 6 SWG, GI
wire was provided in the scheme.
3) Earthing of surge arresters:
According to rule 92(2) the earthing lead for any lightning
arrester shall not pass through any iron or steel pipe, but
shall be taken as directly as possible from the lightning
arrester to a separate earth electrode and/or junction of the
earth mat already provided for the high and extra high
voltage sub-station subject to the avoidance of bends
wherever practicable. Also, a vertical ground electrode shall
be connected to this junction of the earth mat. For the surge
arresters, GI strips of suitable dimensions should have been
used for earthing but in the scheme 8 or 6 SWG, GI wire
wound on the pole, with other earth-wires, was used. Thus,
neither the thickness of the earth wire was appropriate nor
any consideration was given to avoid bends in it.