Substation project to support Kumbh Mela
Planned 132 / 33 kV GIS facility will support electricity demand during Nashik Kumbh Mela 2027 and ease pressure on existing substations.
Image for illustrative purposes / Credit: MudaCom, Shutterstock.com
India, Maharashtra. Panchvati: Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company Ltd (MSETCL) plans to develop a new power substation in Panchvati, in Nashik district, to meet the expected electricity demand during the Nashik Kumbh Mela 2027.
The planned 132 / 33 kV GIS-type substation will have a transformation capacity of 2×50 MVA. The project, estimated to cost $16.3 M (Rs.150.20 crore), is expected to be commissioned by March 2027, along with supporting transmission infrastructure. Land for the facility has already been identified close to Nashik city, near the main load centre for the upcoming event.
Named “Establishment of 132 / 33 kV Panchvati (Meri) GIS Substation, Taluka and District Nashik,” the proposal was recently presented at a meeting of the Maharashtra Transmission Committee and later approved by the Maharashtra Grid Coordination Committee.
At present, a large share of Nashik city’s electricity demand is supplied through the 132 / 33 kV Mhasrul and 132 / 33 kV Takali substations, which are linked to the 132 / 33 kV Satpur (MIDC) substation via single-circuit lines.
The local distribution company expects about 25 MW of additional demand during the Kumbh Mela for tents, street lighting and hospices. The new Panchvati substation will help meet this requirement while easing the load on the Mhasrul and Takali facilities.
The substation will connect to the Mhasrul facility through an 8.6 ckm 132 kV double-circuit line on monopole structures. It will include two 132 kV GIS line bays and six 33 kV GIS outlets, while Mhasrul will add two 132 kV AIS line bays for the connection.
The Nashik Kumbh Mela, held once every twelve years, is a major spiritual gathering where devotees take a holy dip in the River Godavari. The event will run from 24 July 2027 to 24 July 2028, with the main bathing rituals scheduled between 2 August and 12 September 2027.
Source: T&D India