PRAYAGRAJ, May 22 -- The Prayagraj Zone-I power department has prepared a comprehensive business plan for 2026-27 with an estimated outlay of Rs.148.65 crore to strengthen the city's ageing and overloaded electricity network. Sent to the state government for approval, the plan outlines 731 infrastructure projects across urban areas, focusing on improving power supply reliability through new substations, additional transmission lines, transformer upgrades and replacing dilapidated electrical infrastructure. The urgency for strengthening the network has become critical this summer. Amid rising electricity demand and prolonged heatwave conditions, several incidents of overloaded transformers developing faults, exploding or catching fire have been reported across the city. Residents in many localities have also complained of repeated power cuts and voltage fluctuations during peak hours. Officials said the proposed works are aimed directly at addressing rising power demand, frequent outages and persistent low-voltage problems. The district currently serves around 9 lakh power consumers, with approximately 3.5 lakh in urban areas and 5.5 lakh in rural areas. The largest project under the plan is the construction of a new 33/11 KV substation in the Rambagh area, estimated at Rs.9 crore. Officials said this would help reduce overloading and improve voltage conditions in older localities. Further expansion includes laying 14 new 33 KV lines and 101 new 11 KV lines in Prayagraj Zone-I, alongside enhancing the capacity of five existing substations to manage the increasing load. To strengthen the distribution network, the department also plans to install 280 new distribution transformers and augment the capacity of 67 existing transformers, complemented by the large-scale replacement of worn-out wires, cables, and outdated electrical equipment. As part of the modernisation drive, low-tension (LT) lines, which carry low-voltage electricity to homes and commercial establishments, and aerial bundled (AB) cables, insulated overhead power cables used to reduce power theft and technical faults, will be replaced or upgraded. Chief engineer Rajesh Kumar confirmed the move, stating that work on the proposed projects would begin immediately after securing approval from the state government....