MSEDCL asks SNDL to ensure uninterrupted power supply
   Date :11-May-2019

With Essel Utilities searching for new partner to run SNDL, the distribution franchisee in city, Dineshchandra Saboo, Director (Operations), Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited, asked the company to submit proposal for ensuring uninterrupted power supply. The meeting was held at SNDL’s office at Nelson Square and lasted quite long wherein Saboo and his team took stock of gamut of issues that has again cast dark clouds over distribution franchisee.
 
MSEDCL on its part maintained that review meeting held on Friday is quite regular but the timing is not lost on anyone. Saboo discussed the issues relating to power distribution, took stock of future expansion plans and other measures to strengthen the network. Later, the Director set out in field and was apprised by SNDL bosses about the addition made in upgrading the network. He inspected Seminary Hills, Jai Hind sub-station and Customer Facilitation Centre in SNDL area.
 
During the meeting, Saboo instructed SNDL team to have yearly planner wherein they take measures for timely steps for maintenance and repairs. He also discussed execution of works under IPDS, CAPEX, and asked for details about utilisation of funds from District Planning Committee (DPC) for strengthening electricity network and creation of new infrastructure keeping in mind further needs of city. SNDL was directed to prepare plans for upgradation of network that would strength the infrastructure. This is nothing but an assurance to company from MSEDCL that latter is ready to bear cost of upgradation of network so that SNDL does not have to invest much and can improve its financial position, said the experts.
 
He specifically instructed SNDL officials to ensure that outage on one sector should be limited to only once in the month. The company was also asked to take steps for increasing revenue by tapping new connections.
Sonal Khurana, Business Head, SNDL, briefed Saboo about the existing schemes, their progress and gave revenue projection.
 
Dilip Ghughal, Chief Engineer, Nagpur Circle; Umesh Shahare, Dilip Dodke, Narayan Amzare, all Superintending Engineers, were present from MSEDCL side while from SNDL senior officers Rajesh Turkar, Deepak Labde, Sheshrao Kubde were present.
 
M/s Essel Utilities that runs SNDL is desperately searching for a strategic investment partner as its net profit from DF has dwindled drastically. SNDL is struggling to keep afloat and if it exits from power distribution franchisee, MSEDCL finances would take a big hit. Hence the meeting was held to take stock of company's financial investments so that a call can be taken on its future proposal or weighing other options, said the sources.
With returns from DF area remaining static and new business hard to come by, SNDL finances are in doldrums. Further the importance of meeting is significant as assembly elections are on the cards and there is prevailing anger amongst public about DF. Therefore the top officials of MSEDCL are keen to ensure that SNDL remains in position to play its role atleast till elections are over, it is reliably learnt.