Feeder segregation improves rural power supply

Segregating electricity infrastructure for rural agriculture and non-agriculture power consumers or rural feeder segregation is improving both the availability and quality of power supply in rural areas.

A standard approach to feeder segregation for all states,however,may not work,according to a new World Bank Report titled Experience of Rural Load Segregation Scheme in States. It analysed the cases of Gujarat and Rajasthan the states with the longest experience in rural feeder segregation and commissioned a survey of some 4,000 consumers across categories.

According to the survey,prior to feeder segregation,more than 80% consumers in both Gujarat and Rajasthan complained of low voltage problems,which came down to 6% post segregation.

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Among agricultural consumers,more than 50% agriculture consumers complained of frequent power outages,which reduced by less than half in both the states.

The report SAYS that a one-size-fits-all approach will not work and that all segregation be evaluated as part of larger improvement programme.