The transmission and distribution sector is expected to see investments of nearly ₹3 lakh crore over the next four years, said the Power, Coal and New & Renewable Energy Minsiter Piyush Goyal on Wednesday.

“If we get transmission and sub-transmission right, I see no reason why the promise of 24x7 power can’t be met. The missing link is transmission and distribution,” said Goyal.

The Minister added that the ₹ 3 lakh crore investment from the private sector in transmission and distribution will be supported by over ₹ 1 lakh crore ($18 billion) from the Government through schemes such as the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojana and Integrated Power Development Scheme.

Goyal said that last year 20,000 circuit km of transmission lines has been added in 2014-15, which is the highest ever in the country.

“Wherever the grid can reach, it will reach and where it can’t reach off-grid solutions will be utilised. I urge the department, supported by all stakeholders, to prepare a plan for the short term (3-4 years), the medium term (10-15 years) and the long term (upto 50 years) on how to provide the poor with power at affordable rates,” said the Minister.

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