SECTION 1

INTRODUCTION
1.1 The sub transmission and distribution constitutes the final link between
the utility and consumer and the utility is judged by the consumers on the
performance of this segment of power utility. The funds required for system
improvement schemes for primary distribution sector is so large that the
present level of funding is grossly inadequate. Inadequacy of funds is
contributing towards time and cost overrun of the sub -transmission and
distribution projects resulting in lack of capacity addition in sub
transmission and distribution network. Therefore, timely completion of
schemes pertaining to sub transmission and distribution works

within the

budgeted cost is of vital importance as it directly reflects on the performance

of the utility and revenue realisation from the ultimate customer.
1.2 Monitoring is a continuous process to ensure timely implementation
without time and cost overrun and in O & M stage covering performance
(technical) and consumer satisfaction issues. The systematic approach to
project monitoring and evaluation through computer based monitoring and
information system will curtail avoidable delays which are taking place
today in sub transmission and distribution project even after investment
decision is done timely.
1.3 In planning new sub-transmission and distribution system ,land
encumbrances ,environmental interfaces and visual impact are features,
which are receiving increasing importance. It is not only the planning cost
but cost of construction is also to be minimised which rises due to delay in
construction. Apart from compensation to be paid ,the very process of
acquiring land is time consuming. The coordination with telecommunication

and railway authorities is an involved process and is to be looked into at

proper time.
1.4 As the construction activities involve co-ordination among various
utilities, e.g. clearance from communication authorities, public health Deptt.,
Municipal Corporation etc the interaction among persons and follow up of
procedures should be planned in systematic manner in advance. Concurrence
from respective agency wherever necessary should be obtained in due course
to avoid delays and wastage of public money. A well knit and coordinated
approach has to be adopted for not only the new system but also for the
reconfiguration, re-conductoring, augmentation plan etc.
1.5 Huge investments are made in the sub transmission and distribution
network but very little thought has been pouring into the system of
procedures and rules, which causes delay in implementing a ST&DP. A
project which can easily come up in scheduled time increases its span to a
couple of months/year more .The main causes of delay in implementing a
ST&DP are :

Investment Decision

Selection of Bidder
Ambiguous functional Requirements
Land acquisition

Forest clearance

Finalisation of contracts/implementing agency

Changes in priorities during construction

Untimely cash flows

Managerial deficiencies and Lack of Decision Making

Resolution of disputes during implementation

 Litigation
1.6 Most of these can be minimised by organising and controlling post
investment decision activities through adoption of meticulous monitoring
techniques such as Bar Chart Method, Critical Path Method (CPM),or
Programme Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT).The preference is
given to adoption to Bar Chart Method due to its simplicity. The PERT is
suitable to R & D projects.
1.7 Monitoring is a control function. The objective is realised through the
managerial techniques of Planning & Control. They are interdependent functions, for the one looses its significance without the other.
1.8 The primary work arising under the planning elements is the
determination of construction/implementation programme for the year
and laying down the general principles on the basis of which it will
operate. These general principles basically involves availability of the
finances, land and various clearances to undertake construction work etc.
Once the construction programme for the year is decided and distributed
properly into the four quarters of the year, the control function comes
into play.
1.9 The control function is generally exercised by comparison of actual
results with pre-determined programme or targets and taking corrective
measures where deviation occurs.
1.10 The basic objective of strengthening and improvement of sub
transmission and distribution system is to ensure quality and reliability of
supply to consumers, bring down technical losses to an optimal minimum
value and phasing the system expansion to match the growing demand in
the area.

1.11 The evaluation of a sub-Transmission and Distribution system can be

done in terms of, reduction of T & D losses, reduction in overloading of
feeders and transformers ,degree of improvement in the voltage profile
vis--vis voltage regulation, reduction in number of trippings of
distribution system due to overloading ,reduction in consumer
interruption ,reduction in cost per consumer, increase in revenue,
enhancement in peak demand, energy supplied,enhancement in number
of consumer supplied, improvement in level of service, assessing cost of
input energy to total sales and total collection etc. The computation of T
& D losses in the real system is very difficult and accuracy of the
computation and quantification depend on number of factors such as,
accuracy of meters, type of billing system ,

thefts and tampering of

meters, metering and billing supply interruptions, consumer complaint

redressal etc.
1.12 This documents provides guidelines for issues to be looked into in
awarding contracts, implementation activities, monitoring of subtransmission and distribution projects for timely completion, performance
evaluation and O&M of the equipment.
1.13 The performance evaluation of the new system needs comparison of
performance after adding the new system with system prior to network
elements added in the existing system. A data acquisition system is
required for such evaluation due to large number of inputs.
1.14 A computer based software is also required for project monitoring and
reliability analysis.
1.15 Another area in which no work has been done so far by any of the
utility is Renovation and Modernisation (R & M ) and life assessment
studies of the sub transmission and distribution equipment. This can

enhance the life to few more years if predictive maintenance in the form
of R & M supported by residual life assessment studies, is done at proper
time.