HESCOM Tasked with Ensuring 24×7 Power for Water Supply Network

Rapid Summary

• Energy Minister K.J. George chaired a review meeting in Dharwad addressing unscheduled load shedding affecting water supply systems in Hubballi-Dharwad.
• HESCOM has been directed to hold consultations with the municipal and district governance to explore uninterrupted power supply projects for water pumping stations at Saundatti and Amminbhavi.
• Frequent rural power outages, low voltage issues, and customer service inefficiencies were raised as priority concerns for remedial measures.
• Excess rainfall caused an estimated ₹16.17 crore damage to electrical equipment across HESCOM districts, with ₹1.71 crore loss reported in Dharwad district alone.
• Under Gruha Jyothi scheme in Dharwad district, 92% of the 5,59,183 domestic connections benefit from subsidies worth ₹200 crore.
• Renewable energy initiatives include 933 rooftop solar systems (28.95 MW capacity) installed in Dharwad district; under PM Surya Ghar Scheme,490 systems generate 1.92 MW electricity.

Indian opinion Analysis
The discussion surrounding load shedding affecting critical infrastructure like the Hubballi-Dharwad water supply underscores the importance of consistent electricity access for essential services across Karnataka’s urban centers. The call for complete consultation between HESCOM and local administrative bodies indicates proactive steps toward infrastructural reliability but will require precise execution to ensure long-term solutions.

Simultaneously occurring, challenges such as rural electrical disruptions emphasize ongoing disparities between urban and rural service quality-a gap that demands targeted approaches beyond technical fixes alone if equity is a concern.

Renewable energy developments are promising signs of sustainability efforts but comprise a fraction of overall capacity needs-suggesting room to scale such programs further while minimizing reliance on conventional sources marred by vulnerabilities during extreme weather events highlighted by recent rain-related damages.

Read more