Patna: Patna is set to see a major boost in its electricity infrastructure, with plans underway to construct five new grid substations across the city and surrounding areas. Officials say the move aims to meet the rising power demand from the expanding urban population and prevent future outages.
The decision follows a significant power crisis in June 2024, when a leak in the gas chamber of the Mithapur grid caused a 48-hour blackout in central Patna. At the time, the simultaneous failure of the Mithapur and Karbighhia grids severely disrupted electricity supply, highlighting the need for a more resilient system.
The new substations will be located in Mithapur, Kankarbagh, Khemnichak, Punpun, and Maner. Three of these – in Mithapur, Kankarbagh, and Khemnichak – will strengthen the city’s core supply, while the Punpun and Maner grids will serve rapidly growing rural and industrial areas. Land for the Kankarbagh and Mithapur sites has already been identified, and construction of the first grid is expected to begin next year.
Currently, Patna is powered by ten grid substations, including Mithapur, Jakkanpur, Karbighhia, Digha (Old and New), Gaighat, Khagaul, Katra, Gaurichak, and Board Colony. With a population of approximately 750,000 electricity consumers and peak demand reaching 883 megawatts, existing infrastructure has been under significant pressure.
Rahul Kumar, managing director of Bihar State Power Transmission Company Limited, said the new grids will distribute the city’s electricity load more evenly, reducing tripping, stabilising voltage, and lowering the risk of sudden blackouts. “This is a major step forward for both urban and surrounding rural areas,” he added, emphasising the long-term benefits for Patna’s residents and industries alike.
Construction of the remaining four substations is expected to commence in the coming months, forming part of a broader plan to make Patna’s power supply future-ready.
