The Deccan Chronicle 20.10.2010
Chennai gets mapped for infraOct. 19: The state government, in an attempt to help organisations like the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) and Corporation of Chennai, is using geographical information system (GIS) data and satellite imagery to map the city. Speaking to reporters after inaugurating a three-day training programme for TNEB engineers by Anna University, S. Akshaya Kumar, director of transmission projects, TNEB, said that the state government has in association with the National Informatics Centre (NIC) started mapping city roads and other infrastructure like EB substations, posts and so on.
“As a user agency, this data will be of much use
to us as we can identify the spot where we have to dig and the distance between our substation and consumer locality. We expect the mapping to be completed next year,” he said. Pointing out that Tamil Nadu needs 11,000 MW of electricity, Mr Kumar said the state is now producing only about 8,000 MW with a deficit of 3,000 MW. “With power plants in North Chennai, Koodankulam and Thoothukudi being commissioned next year, we will be producing the remaining 3,000 MW and attain self reliance,” he added.
The transmission projects director also said that the state loses about 1,520 MW (19.33 per cent) of electricity every year in transmission from power plant to destination. Anna University vice-chancellor Mannar Jawahar said the university’s Institute of Remote Sensing had recommended using GIS for routing transmission lines as it will save money and will be easy to execute.
