Parliament Question: Overloaded Transformers in Sonipat

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3079 ANSWERED ON 06.08.2026 OVERLOADED TRANSFORMERS IN SONIPAT †3079. SHRI SATPAL BRAHAMCHARI: SHRI JAI PARKASH: Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state: (a) whether due to overloaded transformers, dilapidated power lines and excess load capacity, frequent transformer breakdowns, power outages and risk of accidents persist in several villages and urban colonies of Sonipat and Hisar Lok Sabha Constituencies; (b) if so, the details of the sanctioned projects and funds allocated for the replacement and capacity enhancement of such transformers and dilapidated power lines in the said constituencies during the last three years; (c) whether the Government is implementing any special scheme for working on the expansion of separate agricultural feeders, modernization and implementation of smart distribution systems to ensure uninterrupted power supply to farmers for irrigation within stipulated timelines; (d) if so, the details of the proposed works, timelines thereof and the expected benefits therefrom in Sonipat Lok Sabha Constituency; and (e) the details of the proposed agricultural feeders, the present progress of the works and the likely timeframe for the completion thereof in the Hisar Lok Sabha Constituency? A N S W E R THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER (SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK) (a) Electricity is a concurrent subject and power distribution is handled by distribution utilities that function under the guidance of the respective State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs) and State Governments. 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 thedistribution system to ensure quality power supply, including transformers and distribution lines, rests with the respective distribution utilities. As reported by the distribution utilities of Haryana, details regarding overloaded Distribution Transformers (DTRs), dilapidated/overloaded power lines identified, transformer breakdown cases during the last three years; major reasons for such breakdowns and the action taken in respect of Hisar and Sonipat Lok Sabha Constituencies are given at Annexure-I. (b) to (e): The Government of India launched Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) in the year 2021 to supplement the efforts of States to help them provide quality supply of power to consumers through a financially sustainable and operationally efficient distribution sector. Loss reduction infrastructure and smart metering works worth Rs 1.53 lakh crores and Rs 1.31 lakhs crores, respectively, have been sanctioned under RDSS. The loss reduction and smart distribution works sanctioned under RDSS include: i. Works for creation of new/upgradation of substations including Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) Substations ii. Installation of new Distribution Transformers (DT) and augmentation of existing DTs iii. Replacement of old conductors iv. Underground of HT/LT lines v. Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) works vi. Smart metering works covering 19.79 crore consumers and smart system metering works for 2.11 lakh feeders and 52.53 lakh DTs have been sanctioned. Till date, 5.83 crore smart meters have been installed under RDSS, and overall, 7.34 crore smart meters have been installed across the country under various schemes. The above sanction includes works for loss reduction infrastructure amounting to Rs 6,693.15 crores under RDSS for the state of Haryana. Further, as reported by the State, all agricultural feeders have already been segregated since 2021. The smart metering works were undertaken by the State under its own plan in the districts of Gurugram, Panchkula, Karnal, Panipat and Faridabad for 8.74 lakh consumers. The details regarding works undertaken under RDSS in Hisar and Sonipat Lok Sabha constituencies are given at Annexure-II. The sanctioned works are expected to complete with the scheme period i.e. March 2028. The works once executed would lead to improvement in quality of power supply and enhanced consumer services. ************ANNEXURE-I ANNEXURE REFERRED IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3079 ANSWERED IN THE LOK SABHA ON 06.08.2026 ************* Constituency and details Action Taken Hisar (DHBVNL) Over loading of transformers was addressed by providing additional 346 No. of Overloaded DTRs: 1099 nos. of transformers along with No. of Dilapidated/ overload Lines augmentation of 406 nos. of identified: 78 transformers. (Implemented by DHBVN No. of T/F Breakdown Cases (Last 3 departmentally) Years): 16976 Major Reasons: Internal fault/Over Total 16 nos. of feeders to be bifurcated loading and Heavy wind storm out of which 9 feeders completed, 7 nos. feeders are under progress under RDSS. Further, 68 nos. of feeders have been upgraded departmentally. Sonipat (DHBVNL and UHBVNL) Over loading of transformers was addressed by providing additional 250 No. of Overloaded DTRs: 1776 nos. of transformers along with No. of Dilapidated/ overload Lines augmentation of 1080 nos. of identified: 111 transformers, while the remaining No. of T/F Breakdown Cases (Last 3 works are being completed in a phased Years): 6372 Major Reasons: Internal fault and manner. Heavy wind storm Feeder bifurcation of 90 nos. overloaded feeders has been completed; 40 nos. presently under progress under RDSS, while 18 nos. will be bifurcated departmentally. **************ANNEXURE-II ANNEXURE REFERRED IN REPLY TO PARTS (b) TO (e) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3079 ANSWERED IN THE LOK SABHA ON 06.08.2026 ************* Works sanctioned in Hisar Constituency under RDSS Financial progress (Amount in Rs crore) Approved Project Cost 145.73 Approved GoI grant 87.48 GoI grant released 23.27 Physical Progress Overall physical progress: 40 % Approved Project Completed Major Head Particular UoM Sanctioned Awarded Cost (Rs crore) HT lines ckm 382.81 312.81 58.65 Feeder 25.63 LT lines ckm bifurcation DTs nos. Cabling works HT cables ckm - - - 16.74 (AB + UG) LT cable ckm 183.92 183.83 121.58 Augmentation/ 29.26 HT lines ckm 607.25 577.26 312.34 reconductoring 12.20 LT lines ckm 227.62 227 126.81 of lines New nos. 3 3 0 substation Augmentation Substation 61.49 nos. 8 8 6 of substation Additional nos. 14 14 6 Power X-mer VCB at VCB at 0.42 Nos 8 8 0 Substation Substation Total 145.73Works sanctioned in Sonipat Constituency under RDSS Financial progress (Amount in Rs crore) DHBVNL UHBVNL Total (Partial Jind area in (Balance area in Sonipat Sonipat constituency) Constituency) Approved Project 66.09 140.93 207.02 Cost Approved GoI 39.65 84.56 124.21 grant GoI grant 10.55 44.74 55.29 released Physical Progress (Overall physical progress: 81.51 %) Approved Project Major Head Particular UoM Sanctioned Awarded Completed Cost (Rs Cr.) HT lines ckm 481.73 481.72 288.48 Feeder 56.51 VCB Nos. 61 127 60 bifurcation DTs nos. Cabling works 38.43 LT Cable ckm 437.82 437.82 313.14 (AB + UG) New HT lines ckm 62.30 97.20 62.30 8.65 Lines/cable LT lines ckm 28.99 HT lines ckm 492.36 570.22 479.25 Augmentation/ re- 39 LT lines ckm 1084.84 1088.88 447.82 conductoring Augmentation of lines/cable 11.70 nos. 240 240 240 of DTs New Substation 30.56 nos. 5 5 5 substation Total 207.02 ***************