State transco Madhya Pradesh Power Transmission Company Ltd (MPPTCL or MP Transco) announced that it is relocating important 132kV lines and towers passing through the submergence area of the Kaliyasot Dam in Bhopal.
In a release, MPPTCL said that the project aims to make the power transmission system of the state capital, Bhopal, more secure, reliable, and efficient.
Due to backwater effect of the dam during the monsoon season, maintenance and emergency repair activities in this technically challenging area, developed three to four decades ago, have often been affected, the release noted.
Accordingly, affected portions of the 132kV MACT Line-in-Line-Out (LILO), MACT–Mandideep, and MACT–Amrawat Khurd transmission lines, which currently pass through the Kaliyasot Dam backwater area, are being shifted to a new route. As part of this project, around 12 transmission towers will also be relocated, the release said. [MACT is Maulana Azad College of Technology]
Surmounting waterlogging-related challenges
At present, during periods of waterlogging, several towers become inaccessible by road. As a result, technical teams are often required to use boats for inspection, maintenance, and fault rectification work. These challenges become even more significant during the monsoon season. Once the new arrangement is implemented, all related transmission structures will be easily accessible by road, enabling faster maintenance activities and reducing power restoration time in the event of any supply disruption, the release observed.
Towards long-term grid reliability
Madhya Pradesh Energy Minister Pradyuman Singh Tomar emphasized that this project is not limited to line shifting alone but represents a significant step toward ensuring the long-term reliability of Bhopal’s critical urban power transmission network. He noted that these transmission lines supply electricity to a large portion of the capital city, and relocating them outside the submergence zone will improve both operational safety and maintenance efficiency.
Upon completion of the project, the transmission towers will be protected from the prolonged effects of waterlogging. Furthermore, considering the rapidly growing electricity demand of Bhopal, this initiative will strengthen the transmission network and make it better equipped to meet future power requirements.
No rerouting of historic Lalghati-Sehore line
The 132kV Lalghati–Sehore transmission line passing through the submergence area of Bhopal’s Upper Lake (Bhojtal) is one of the oldest transmission lines in the capital city. It was through this line that power was first supplied in 1967 from the Ujjain–Ashta region to the 132kV Chambal substation in Bhopal.
The line is supported by old galvanized steel towers, which are highly durable and resistant to corrosion even in waterlogged conditions. From a technical perspective, the towers remain in satisfactory condition and therefore do not currently require replacement. This transmission corridor is approximately 5–6 km long.
Over the years, dense residential colonies and urban development have come up around the area, making rerouting of the line practically difficult. MP Transco will therefore continue to operate and maintain this historic transmission line through regular maintenance and monitoring, MPPTCL said.