CONSUMER GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL FORUM NORTHERN REGION, . (Formed under Section 42(5) of Electricity Act 2003) Vydyuthibhavan, Gandhi Road, Kozhikode -673011 Telephone Number -0495 2367820 [email protected]

PRESENT

BEENA GOPINATH. S : CHAIRPERSON

LEKHA RANI R : MEMBER II

OP No.133/2019-20

PETITIONER :

Sri. Boya Ragavendra Kumar,Senior Divisional Electrical Engr/TRD, Southern Railway, District-678002.

RESPONDENTS :

1. The Deputy Chief Engineer, Electrical Circle, , -671121.

2. The Deputy Chief Engineer, Transmission Circle, Kannur,

ORDER

Case of the Petitioner:-

The petitioner, Sri. Boya Ragavendra Kumar, Senior Divisional Electrical Engineer, Southern Railway, Palakkad district complaints that unreliable power supply situation at Railway Traction Sub-station, cause immense difficulties in day today hassle free train movements. As a part of electrification of Shoranur- section of Palakkad Division of Southern Railway, a 25 KV Railway Traction Sub Station at Uppala was commissioned on 12.01.2018 with a CMD of 5000KVA. Though there was a proposal to enhance the existing CMD of 5000 KVA to 7000 KVA, KSEB did not accept the application owing to inadequate capacity of KSEB sub station and permitted the Railways to extend supply from Railway Traction Sub Station up to Uppala.

The in coming supply of Uppala Railway Traction Sub Station is fed from 110KV KSEB Sub Station at Kubanoor. During load condition, the incoming 110 KV supply at Uppala is failing frequently due to overload tripping at Manjeswaram Sub Station which is feeding to Kubanoor. It is understood that the OCR setting of the Kubanoor Traction Feeder is 200 Amps where as that of Manjeswaram is 150 Amps only (150A for both domestic and Traction load)

Even though the KSEB authorities are claiming that their supply system has been strengthened, there has been no reduction at all noticed in the supply failure and interruptions to railway traction supply to Uppala. Copy of the failures is enclosed for reference.

It is to be pointed out that in order to avail EB supply, Railways have paid an initial deposit of Rs1,90,26,000.00 as security deposit. Railway is also incurring on an average a monthly expenditure of Rs44.64 lakhs towards EHT bills which is of recurring nature, The total expenditure so far for EHT bills right from commissioning of the sub station works out to Rs11.16 crore approximately.

2 Since commissioning of this sub station, Railways have faced only bitter experience due to frequent supply interruptions and major shutdowns for hours/days together by EB. It appears that there is no useful benefit for the Railways to maintain this Sub Station even after spending huge amount of public money.

As explained earlier, inadequate current seting at EB Sub station is the cause of such continuous tripping and power supply interruptions. If the EB setting is not revised to match Railways’ requirements, the unreliable power situation will continue causing disruption to train services and inconvenience to travelling public.

The above subject was discussed several times with EB officials but there has been no action from EB side to improve the situation. The purpose of a Railway traction sub station is to run the trains on AC traction and if EB cannot supply reliable power, the very objective of having set up a sub station by spending hefty amount of public money is defeated. Railways also cannot revert back to diesel traction any more as a part of policy of withdrawal of diesel traction from service. Environmental concern will become another issue for reintroduction of diesel traction. The much demanded MEMU Passenger services also cannot be introduced in the near future due to extremely pathetic power supply situation.

It is further pointed out that KSEB is also resorting to arbitrarily switching off of Railway feeders without getting concurrence from Railways, for example, on 04.2.2020, power shut down was requested by KSEB on Railway feeder of Cheruvathur Traction Sub station from 11.00 to 12.00 hours for maintenance of 110 KV CT at CT at EB Sub Station, . On 04.2.2020 at 10.50 hours KSEB officials contacted Traction power controller but without waiting for concurence from Railways, supply was switched off. Even though KSEB was requested for 20 minutes considering the fact that express trains are running in the section, no heed was paid to Railway’s request and acted on their own way which appears to be not correct. This has

3 caused detention to several express trains running in the section. Railways do not expect such arbitrary actions from KSEB, which always go against public interest. It would have been kept in mind the Railway is a bulk consumer and always prompt in making the payments to KSEB.

It is requested to kindly intervene on the matter and necessary action may be taken to redress the Railways’ grievances. It may kindly be further brought out that if the situation of power supply is not improved, Railways will be constrained to regulate certain services which will go against public interest.

Version by the Respondent: -

It is true that traction substation Uppala was commissioned on 12/01/2018 with CMD of 5000kVA. During the month of January 2020, M/s. Railway submitted request to enhance the CMD from 5000kVA to 8000kVA and the same is under the scrutiny of KSEBL. At present, Kasaragod area have severe transmission corridor conjunction in both intra state and interstate feeders. The traction Substation Uppala is fed from 110kV Substation Kubanoor which is supplied through 110kV single circuit line 110kV Mylatty- Vidyanagar-Kubanoor-Manjeswaram-Konaje line. KSEBL has taken action to convert SC line to double circuit line for catering the load demand of whole district. As part of the above work, 110kV line doubling work from Vidyanagar to Konaje (upto KSEB jurisdiction) is completed during 02/2020. 110kV double circuit construction of Mylatty-Vidyanagar line with MCMV is already awarded on turn key basis. The existing single circuit line from Mylatty to Vidyanagar is drawn with Tiger conductor with current limit of 300A. This line is feeding the entire northern Kasaragod area including the TSS Uppala. Moreover the alternate source to Kubanoor substation is from 110kV substation Manjeswaram which is fed through 110KV sub station Konaje owned by KPTCL. The load limit of this feeding from KPTCL is 23MW with current limit of 121A. The present load demand of Northern Kasaragod area including M/s Railway is found beyond the available capacity and the

4 system exercises severe constraints. Hence the request for enhancement of CMD can be considered based on these facts only.

It is true that TSS Uppala is fed from 110kV Substation Kubanoor and the source is from KPTCL owned 110kV Substation Konaje with permissinle feeder current limit 121A. The KPTCL co ordinated the relay setting with 200A with lower TMS of 0.075 which means that with a minor change of overload say at 5%, the feeder will trip within 7.24 sec and for an over load at 10%, the feeder will trip within 5.5 sec at Konaje Substation. Once the feeder trips, re energisation require permission from SREB which will take much time. During this time Manjeswaram and Kubanoor and Traction substations will be under total black out. In regard of this, we have to limit the current setting of the relay installed at Manjeswaram and Kubanoor without affecting KSEBL protection standards. The normal KSEB load at Manjeswaram substation is between 50-60A and at Kubanoor is between 45 to 55A. So the two stations together consume load between 95 to 115A. Even though the railways have the CMD of 5000kVA single phase load, with a max load current of 45A drawing against the contract demand of 26A, they draw momentary over loads during traffic conjunctions and this load exceeds much beyond the CMD sometimes upto 120A. When the total load demand increases beyond the permissible current limit of interstate feeder, there is a greater chance to trip the feeder. Since M/s Railway is not maintaining the grid discipline, it leads to interruption of seven substation of KSEBL, creating total black out of those areas. Based only on request from M/s. Railsways, KSEBL provided over current setting at Kubanoor with 200A taking into consideration of momentary overloads which is also the maximum permitted as per Supply Code 2014 (1.5times the maximum demand). It is only a concession granted to M/s. Railway for maintaing public transport system. The relay at Manjeswaram for 110kV Manjeswaram-Kubanoor feeder is set at 165A with TMS 0.075 which is already above the permissible current limit of interstate feeder. Hence it is not possible to increase the relay setting at Manjeswaram till KSEBL’s planned work of doubling of 110kV Mylatty-

5 Vidyanagar feeder is completed or getting additional power from KPTCL. Hence the complaint raised by M/s. Railway is not sustainable.

It is true that, KSEBL has strengthened the supply system from Vidyabagar to Konaje and balance work from Mylatty to Vidyanagar is planned to complete by August 2020. The failure of traction supply happened due to undisciplined grid management M/s Railways and lack of alternate sources from Karnataka. Hence the allegation is not sustainable.

It is true that, KSEBL has strengtherned the supply system from Vidyanagar to Konaje and balance work from Mylatty to Vidyanagar is planned to complete by August 2020. The failure of traction supply happened due to undisciplined grid management M/s. Railways and lack of alternate sources from Karnataka. Hence the allegation is not sustainable.

It is true that railway deposited amount for infrastructure development for the construction of TSS and line by which they are availing traction facility. KSEBL is collecting the revenue charges for the electricity consumption from M/s Railway and they are supplied at a lowest rate of tariff other than any other utilities in .

The allegation made by M/s Railway in para 5 is fully incorrect, KSEBL is providing much beneficial services to M/s Railway and maximum supply availability is ensured in traction feeder even other system collapses with the intention to maintain the public transport system in .

The argument made in para 6 is not correct. The traction supply failure is not occurring due to the relay setting issues at KSEBL substations. The same happened due to improper relay coordination without complying grid code by M/s Railways. The issues can be resolved only after the full strengthening of transmission system of KSEBL as planned. M/s Railway has to avail alternate feeding for each station and increase their CMD to meet the realistic load demand.

6 The argument made in para 7 is incorrect. M/s Railway has to strengthen their substations, converting their existing 2ph connection to scott connection for availing supply from KSEBL to limit harmonics and over current drawal in single phase. There is no need to go for diesel engine or any other alternate sources of energy since the traction line is already in force and our grid strengthening will be completed by August 2020.

The allegation made in para 8 is incorrect. Please note that KSEBL’s network is functioning through out 24x7 days continuously, for supplying uninterrupted electricity to its consumers. The interruption occurred on 04- 02-2020 was due to the emergency situation arose at 110kV Substation Kanhangad. Prior intimation was given to M/s Railway vide letter No.DB13/Letter/2019-20/162 dtd 03-02-2020 and obtained an oral consent for switching off the supply on 04/02/2020 at 11 Hrs. M/s Railways can extend supply from other TSS. Later the situation became very critical and any delay in attending the fault might lead to severe break down and prolonged interruption. The interruption was planned between 11.00 Hrs to 12.00 Hrs, when the traction load is minimum, as per the information from Railway authorities . Since the situation was very critical supply was switched off at 11.00 hrs. and restored at 12.02 hrs after informing Railway TSS over phone.

Considering the above facts, the petition filed by M/s Railway may be disposed and advice them to obey grid discipline and regulate traffic in planned manner by utilizing different sources of Traction substations.

Discussion, analysis and findi ngs :-

The hearing of the case was fixed on 28.5.2020. Both the respondent’s and petitioner’s representatives attended the hearing.

Having considered all the documents submitted and the deliberations during the hearing, the Forum has come to the following conclusions leading to the decision:-

7 The relief sought by the petitioner, Senior Divisional Electrical Engineer, Southern Railway Palakkad is the following.

As a part of electrification of Shoranur Mangalore section, 25KV Traction Substation was set up at Uppala on 12/01/2018 with contract demand 5 MVA. The application for enhancement of contract demand to 7 MVA is rejected by KSEBL and allowed to extend supply to Uppala from Cheruvathur traction substation. In normal condition Uppala Traction Substation is fed from 110 KV Substation Kubanoor the source to Kubanoor is Manjeswaram substation. The over current relay setting of Kubanoor feeder is 200A where as that of the feeder from Manjeswaram to Kubanoor is 150A only which causes frequent overload tripping of Manjeswaram sub station.

Even though Railways spent huge amount of money to set up traction substation at Uppala, they are facing only bitter experiences due to frequent interruption and supply outages for hours due to shut down of KSEBL and the venture turns to be non beneficial.

Due to non availability of sufficient and quality power railways cannot introduce MEMU services and more other services in that route.

According to the respondent, the petitioner’s request for contract demand enhancement from 5 MVA to 7 MVA is under scrutiny. The area mentioned has severe transmission corridor conjunction in intra state and inter state feeders. The doubling work of single circuit line between the source substation (Kubanoor) and Manjeswaram is nearing completion part by part. Manjeswaram substation which feeds Kubanoor substation gets supply from Konaje substation which is owned by KPTCL with current limit of 121A. Hence the relay setting fixed as 150A at the feeder outgoing to Kubanoor from Manjeswaram and if any increase in that setting made it will cause tripping at Konaje Substation recharging of which will take more time

8 as sanction from SREB will be required for that. The present load demand of Northern Kasaragod area is beyond the available capacity.

However based on the request from Railways, KSEBL provided over current setting at Kumbanoor as 200A and that Manjeswaram as 165A which is already above the permissible limit of interstate feeder.

The respondents argument is that the frequent tripping is due to momentary overload of traction line during traffic conjunction and thus railway is not maintaining grid discipline.

However the strengthening work of supply network in between the above substation is nearing completion and the issues are expected to get settled after completion of the system strengthening.

The Forun registered the case and hearing conducted because the petitioner executed service connections agreement with distribution licensee as an EHT consumer.

The respondent is duty bound to maintain their network is a safe operating mode and the conditions stipulated like Kerala State grid code 2005, Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission regulations 2013 etc incorporated in the service connection agreement/connectivity agreement are binding on the petitioner also.

On analyzing the issue the Forum finds that request of the petitioner for considering contract demand enhancement and avoiding frequent interruptions is considerable to the extent possible because the loading pattern of the traction line is not constant instead it is fluctuating.

It is true that the present conditions of transmission network cannot cater to the demand of railways and according to the respondent’s statement, the issue can be resolved only after full strengthening of transmission net work.

9 Another point raised by the petitioner is regarding supply interruption occurred on 04/02/2020. The Forum do not feel it good to go deeper in to that issue as it is a matter under normal functioning of transmission utility.

The request of the petitioner cannot be denied simply on the ground that the system existing is incapable as they are one of highly paid consumers of the licensee and at the same time the petitioner shall take immediate steps for availing alternate source supply and regulate the load fluctuation to minimum possible to help the licensee to maintain stable supply.

Under the above circumstances the only conclusion that can be derived is that the licensee and railways have to jointly arrive at a decision on the above basis. The request for enhancement of contract demand has to be considered by the licensee on the completion of ongoing system strengthening work which is proposed for completion by August 2020 and relay setting revision has to be considered after the feeder capacity enhancement in a technically feasible way.

The petition is disposed off accordingly.

DECISION:-

The petition is allowed to the extent as ordered above.

Dated this the 30 th day of June, 2020 Sd/- Sd/- Lekharani R. Beena Gopinath S. Member II Chairperson

Endt.on CGRF-NR/OP /133/2019-20 / 65 dated : 30 .6.2020 Forwarded to: 1) Sri.Boya Ragavendra Kumar, Senior Divisional Electrical-, Engineer/TRD, Southern Railway, Palakkad-678002. 2) The Deputy Chief Engineer, Electrical Circle, KSEB Ltd, Kasaragod, Kannur District.

10 Copy submitted to: Chief Engineer (Distribution –North Malabar ) , Kannur Copy to: 1. The Secretary, KSEB Ltd., Vydyuthibhavanam, Thiruvananthapuram. 2. Deputy Chief Engineer, Transmission Circle, Kannur.

Forwarded Sd/- Chairperson

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