Parliament Question: Replacement of Faulty Distribution Transformers

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3019 ANSWERED ON 06.08.2026 REPLACEMENT OF FAULTY DISTRIBUTION TRANSFORMERS †3019. SHRI BHARAT SINGH KUSHWAH:

Will the Minister of POWER

be pleased to state:

(a) whether inordinate delays in the replacement of faulty Distribution Transformers in rural and semi-urban areas are resulting in prolonged disruption of electricity supply and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether overloading of Distribution Transformers, pending pole shifting at various locations and dilapidated electricity poles situated in densely populated areas are increasing the risk of accidents and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government is preparing any time-bound national action plan to ensure decentralisation of Distribution Transformers, expeditious shifting of dilapidated electricity poles and poles located in densely populated areas, installation of underground/cable-based electricity lines and early electrification of long-inhabited majras, tolas, new colonies and settlements in coordination with the States; and

(d) if so, the details thereof? A N S W E R THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER (SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

(a) to (d) : Electricity is a concurrent subject and power distribution is handled by distribution utilities that function under the guidance of their respective State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) and State Government. As per the Electricity Act, 2003, distribution of electricity is a licensed activity and it is the duty of the respective distribution licensee to develop and maintain an efficient and safe distribution system in its area of supply. Hence, the responsibility for taking necessary measures for the upgradation and maintenance of the distribution system and regularly checking the structural strength of poles and wires of High Tension (HT) and Low Tension (LT) lines to ensure quality and reliable power supply and necessary safety measures, rests with the respective distribution utilities, including taking action on complaints in this regard.

………2.- 2 - CEA (Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2023, specify safety measures for construction, operation and maintenance of power stations, sub-stations, transmission and distribution lines. These regulations lay down the safety measures for electrical installations and provide for periodic inspection and testing of electrical installations. In addition, the CEA (Technical Standards for Construction of Electrical Plants and Electric Lines) Regulations, 2022, contain specific provisions for strengthening of poles and wires in disaster prone areas and coastal areas to withstand severe environmental stress. The above regulations are applicable to all entities who generate, transmit or distribute electricity.

Government of India (GoI) has supplemented the efforts of the States to help them provide quality supply of power earlier through schemes like Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) launched in 2014, Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (SAUBHAGYA) launched in October 2017, and currently under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) launched in July 2021.

Under RDSS, financial assistance is being provided to Distribution Utilities for upgradation of distribution infrastructure works such as upgradation/augmentation of substations and distribution transformers, replacement of conductors, new HT/LT lines, feeder bifurcation, feeder segregation, Aerial Bunched Cables (ABC)/covered conductors, underground cables and smart metering, based on proposals submitted by the Distribution Utilities. Under the scheme, loss reduction infrastructure works amounting to Rs.

1.53 lakh crore and smart metering works amounting to Rs. 1.31 lakh crore have been sanctioned at the national level.

Government of India is further supporting the States for grid electrification of left-out households under RDSS. Under RDSS, on-grid electrification works amounting to Rs. 6,521 crore have been sanctioned for electrification of 13.65 lakh left-out households, wherever found feasible, including households belonging to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) identified under Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN); Scheduled Tribes (STs) under Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA-JGUA);

Scheduled Castes (SCs) under Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY); and households in remote and border areas under the Vibrant Village Programme (VVP), wherever found feasible. As on 23.07.2026, 4.88 lakh households have been electrified under RDSS and state schemes.

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