Andhra Pradesh Clears Rs 521.58 Crore Power Boost for Akhanda Godavari Maha Pushkaralu 2027 – New Substations, SCADA Upgrade and Smart Grid Projects Approved
With preparations gathering pace for the Akhanda Godavari Maha Pushkaralu 2027, the Andhra Pradesh government has unveiled an ambitious power infrastructure plan worth Rs 521.58 crore to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply during one of the country’s biggest religious gatherings.
The comprehensive package, approved under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), includes the construction of new substations, expansion of transmission networks, strengthening of transformers, modernisation of power management systems, and the continuation of key smart metering projects across the state.
The decisions were taken during a meeting of the State Distribution Reforms Committee (SDRC) chaired by Chief Secretary G Sai Prasad at the State Secretariat. The review meeting was attended by Special Chief Secretary (Energy) K Vijayanand along with senior officials from the state’s energy department, who assessed the progress of ongoing projects and approved fresh investments to strengthen Andhra Pradesh’s electricity infrastructure.
The government believes the package will not only help manage the extraordinary demand expected during the Pushkaralu but also provide long-term benefits to the state’s power distribution network.
Massive Power Demand Expected During Akhanda Godavari Maha Pushkaralu
The Akhanda Godavari Maha Pushkaralu 2027 is expected to witness an unprecedented influx of pilgrims from across India and abroad.
Government estimates suggest that nearly one crore devotees may visit the Godavari region every day during the 12-day religious festival, making it one of the largest spiritual congregations in the country.
Such a massive gathering naturally places tremendous pressure on public infrastructure, especially electricity distribution. From ghats and temples to accommodation centres, hospitals, traffic control systems, drinking water facilities and security arrangements, virtually every public service depends on a reliable power supply.
Keeping this in mind, the Andhra Pradesh government has decided to complete major electricity infrastructure upgrades well before the festival begins.
Rs 345.54 Crore Approved to Strengthen Power Network in Godavari Districts
A substantial portion of the approved package – Rs 345.54 crore – has been earmarked specifically for strengthening the power infrastructure in districts expected to witness the highest footfall during the Pushkaralu.
The works will cover four key regions:
Rajamahendravaram
Konaseema
Kakinada
West Godavari
Officials explained that these districts will experience a sharp increase in electricity consumption due to the establishment of temporary facilities, lighting arrangements, public utilities, transport infrastructure and emergency response systems.
The investment is aimed at ensuring that the distribution network remains stable even during peak demand.
Rajamahendravaram Expected to See Additional 100 MW Demand
Among all the festival locations, Rajamahendravaram is expected to experience the biggest surge in electricity consumption.
Officials informed the committee that the city alone could require an additional 100 megawatts of power during the festival period. To prepare for this anticipated demand, the government has approved several critical infrastructure projects.
These include the construction of new 33/11 kV substations, expansion of 33 kV and 11 kV transmission lines, enhancement of the capacity of existing transformers, and installation of additional distribution transformers wherever required.
These improvements are expected to create a stronger and more reliable electricity network capable of handling continuous high loads throughout the festival.
Chief Secretary Directs Timely Completion
Chairing the review meeting, Chief Secretary G Sai Prasad instructed officials to ensure that every project connected with the Pushkaralu is completed well ahead of schedule.
He stressed that infrastructure should not merely be completed on paper but should undergo extensive testing before the event begins.
According to officials present at the meeting, the Chief Secretary directed departments to verify the operational readiness of substations, transformers, transmission lines and distribution systems so that any shortcomings can be rectified in advance.
His emphasis was on preventing unexpected outages during the festival, when uninterrupted electricity will be essential for public safety and smooth management.
Rs 176.04 Crore Cleared for SCADA Modernisation
Apart from strengthening physical infrastructure, the Andhra Pradesh government has also decided to invest heavily in modern power management technology.
The SDRC approved another Rs 176.04 crore for upgrading and expanding the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. The approved project includes two major components.
The existing SCADA system in Visakhapatnam will undergo comprehensive modernisation, while an entirely new SCADA network will be established in Rajahmundry.
These technology upgrades are expected to significantly improve the efficiency of electricity distribution across the network.
Advanced Technology to Improve Grid Management
SCADA systems play a crucial role in managing modern electricity networks.
Once upgraded, the systems will allow electricity authorities to monitor the power grid in real time, operate substations remotely, identify faults almost immediately, and restore power much faster whenever disruptions occur.
Instead of relying solely on manual inspections, engineers will be able to monitor network performance continuously through digital control systems.
Officials believe these improvements will substantially reduce outage duration and improve overall reliability, particularly during periods of exceptionally high electricity demand such as the Pushkaralu.
RDSS and Smart Meter Projects Get More Time
During the review meeting, the committee also examined the progress of ongoing projects being implemented under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme.
Officials informed the committee that several projects had experienced delays because of field-level implementation challenges.
After reviewing the situation, the committee approved an extension for all ongoing RDSS loss reduction works as well as contracts related to the Advanced Metering Infrastructure Service Provider (AMISP) programme.
The revised deadline for completing these projects has now been fixed as March 31, 2027. The extension is expected to help implementing agencies complete the remaining works without compromising quality.
Three Power Distribution Companies to Benefit
The extended implementation schedule will support projects being carried out by Andhra Pradesh’s three major power distribution companies.
These include:
Andhra Pradesh Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited (APEPDCL)
Andhra Pradesh Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (APSPDCL)
Andhra Pradesh Central Power Distribution Company Limited (APCPDCL)
Each of these utilities is executing multiple infrastructure improvement projects under the RDSS programme aimed at reducing technical losses, improving operational efficiency and strengthening electricity distribution across their respective service areas.
Focus on Stronger Distribution Network
The government is also using the extended timeline to accelerate several important network improvement initiatives.
Among the major works are agricultural feeder segregation, bifurcation of overloaded feeders, expansion of advanced metering infrastructure and high-priority underground cabling projects.
These projects are intended to reduce transmission losses, improve supply quality and enhance the reliability of electricity services across urban as well as rural areas.
Officials noted that strengthening feeders and balancing electrical loads would improve voltage stability while reducing the risk of equipment failures.
Underground Cabling Project for Visakhapatnam
One of the most significant components of the ongoing infrastructure programme is the underground cabling project in Visakhapatnam.
Being a major coastal city, Visakhapatnam frequently faces challenges arising from cyclones, heavy rainfall and strong winds, which can damage overhead power lines and disrupt electricity supply.
The underground cabling initiative is designed to make the city’s electricity network far more resilient against such natural disasters.
Besides improving reliability, underground infrastructure is also expected to reduce maintenance requirements and minimise service interruptions caused by adverse weather conditions.
Long-Term Investment Beyond the Festival
Although the immediate objective is to ensure uninterrupted electricity during the Akhanda Godavari Maha Pushkaralu 2027, officials emphasised that the approved projects have been designed with a much broader vision.
The new substations, upgraded transmission lines, enhanced transformer capacity, modern SCADA systems, feeder improvements and smart metering infrastructure will continue to benefit consumers long after the religious event concludes.
The investments are expected to improve the overall efficiency of Andhra Pradesh’s power distribution network, support future urban growth, strengthen disaster preparedness and enhance the quality of electricity services across multiple districts.
With the approval of the Rs 521.58 crore package, the state government has taken one of its biggest infrastructure decisions in preparation for the mega religious congregation. As implementation gathers momentum, the focus will now shift to timely execution, rigorous testing and ensuring that millions of devotees experience uninterrupted power supply throughout the twelve-day Akhanda Godavari Maha Pushkaralu in 2027.
