Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (Powergrid) has sanctioned ₹705.51 crore across two crucial infrastructure projects, aiming to significantly enhance the operational efficiency and disaster preparedness of the national power grid.
The approvals were recently granted by the company’s Committee of Directors on Investment on Projects.
Pan-India VOIP:
A sum of ₹209.68 crore has been allocated for the establishment of a Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) communication system spanning all five regional grids: Northern, Northeastern, Southern, Western, and Eastern.
This upgrade, scheduled for commissioning by August 23, 2026, is set to revolutionize coordination and management across India’s vast power transmission network, ensuring clearer and more efficient communication channels.
Disaster resilience with ‘Make in India’ ERS:
The second, larger project, valued at ₹495.83 crore, focuses on bolstering disaster resilience. It involves the procurement of 20 sets (300 towers) of the emergency restoration system (ERS).
Significantly, this procurement falls under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, supporting domestic manufacturing. The ERS is critical for the rapid restoration of transmission lines following natural disasters or infrastructure breakdowns, reinforcing the nation’s critical power supply resilience. This system is slated to be operational by April 19, 2027.
Modernization and self-reliance:
Powergrid stated that these strategic investments are in direct alignment with India’s broader objectives of modernizing its power infrastructure, improving the overall reliability of the grid, and fostering the growth of domestic manufacturing capabilities within the energy sector. The twin approvals highlight Powergrid’s commitment to proactively meeting the challenges of energy security and maintaining a robust, future-ready national grid.
