Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal arrived at Lovely Professional University in Phagwara today. Kejriwal laid the foundation stone for a ₹16,000 crore project to modernize Punjab’s power transmission and distribution network. Kejriwal stated that the plan aims to ensure 24-hour power supply in Punjab and eliminate power outages by next summer. He also extended greetings on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Sri Guru Ramdas Ji.
He explained that Punjab does not face a power shortage, but due to lack of work on the transmission and distribution network over the past 75 years, the system has been damaged. Under this initiative, 8,000 new transformers will be installed, 77 new substations will be built, and 200 old substations will be overhauled. SCADA systems will also be used to modernize the entire network, allowing for monitoring of all activities from a control room.
Kejriwal said that even the dream of 24-hour power supply is challenging for other states in the country. He explained that within four months of the government’s formation, electricity was made free in Punjab, benefiting approximately 90% of the population. Farmers no longer have to go to irrigate their fields at night, and industries are receiving electricity at the fourth lowest rate in the country.
Kejriwal mentioned the recent devastating floods in Punjab and the massive loss of life and property. He heartily praised MP Ashok Mittal, who announced a job at his university for one member of each family of those who died during the floods. Kejriwal said that governments make such announcements, but it is a significant achievement for an individual to make such an announcement.
