Chandigarh, July 17 — Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited (CPDL), the private firm overseeing electricity services in the Union Territory, announced a ₹956 crore investment over the next five years to modernize the city’s ageing power infrastructure. The announcement comes just a day after CPDL submitted a petition to the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) seeking a tariff hike.
In a detailed statement, CPDL said more than half of the city’s power infrastructure has exceeded its operational life, causing frequent outages and inefficiencies. To address this, the firm has submitted a Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) plan to the JERC for approval, outlining its roadmap to upgrade the network and enhance supply reliability.
Arun Kumar Verma, Director at CPDL, said the overhaul will include the installation of new power transformers, underground cabling, and replacement of obsolete equipment. “The aim is to eliminate breakdowns and ensure uninterrupted, seamless power supply to consumers,” he said.
Alongside infrastructure upgrades, CPDL is also focusing on improving customer experience and operational efficiency. The utility has initiated a citywide drive to update consumer KYC details, enabling timely alerts on outages, billing, and connection updates via SMS and email.
The firm’s broader modernization plan includes the deployment of smart meters, replacement of outdated conventional meters, setting up dedicated customer care centres, and enhancing safety protocols. Digitisation and automation across the distribution network are also part of the proposal to improve efficiency and response times.
CPDL maintained that the proposed tariff hike is necessary to support these upgrades and bring Chandigarh’s power system in line with modern urban energy standards. The regulatory commission is expected to review both the investment plan and tariff proposal in the coming weeks.
