Indore's Pologround Substation Completes 60 Years

On August 30, 1966, the 132 kV Pologround (Chambal) Extra High Tension (EHT) Substation was commissioned in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, marking a significant milestone in the city's power history. At the time, Indore was known as the 'Manchester of India' due to its thriving textile industry. The substation provided reliable electricity to textile mills, industries, and residential areas, laying the foundation for the city's industrial and urban growth.

Over the years, the substation has evolved alongside the city, which has diversified into manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, IT, education, healthcare, and services. Today, it stands as a living symbol of Malwa's transformation. The substation began with just one 10 MVA power transformer and two outgoing 33 kV feeders. It now has three power transformers with a combined capacity of 176 MVA and 16 operational 33 kV feeders, serving multiple load centers across Indore.

The substation's history is also tied to an extraordinary piece of equipment - the first 10 MVA transformer, manufactured by Hitachi, Japan, which weighed nearly 25 tonnes. The transformer was ordered in 1962 and traveled by sea to Bombay (now Mumbai) before being transported by road to Indore. It became the foundation of the city's EHT transmission network when the substation was energized in 1966.

The word 'Chambal' in the substation's name has its own story. In its formative years, the electricity supplied through the substation originated from the Gandhi Sagar Hydroelectric Project, drawing from the Chambal River basin. Similar naming conventions were followed for early 132 kV substations in Ujjain and Bhopal.

Six decades have also brought sweeping modernization to the substation. Conventional electromechanical protection has given way to numerical relays, digital metering, advanced control systems, upgraded communication facilities, and SCADA-based real-time monitoring. MP Transco has converted crossing 33 kV overhead networks within the premises into underground cables, while thermovision scanning, condition monitoring, predictive maintenance, and periodic equipment testing have strengthened safety and reliability.

Energy Minister Pradyumn Singh Tomar said the substation has been integral to Indore's development, providing the energy backbone for industrial growth, economic activity, and urban expansion. MP Transco Managing Director Sunil Tiwari credited generations of engineers and technical personnel for sustaining the installation and said continued modernization and preventive maintenance would keep it ready for future energy demands.

The Pologround Substation is considered the second-oldest EHT substation in the Malwa region and the fifth-oldest in Madhya Pradesh. Its completion of 60 years of uninterrupted service is a testament to the city's growth and development. From a city of textile mills to one of modern industries and services, Indore has come a long way, and the Pologround Substation has played a vital role in this transformation.

As the city continues to grow and develop, the substation will remain a crucial part of its infrastructure, providing reliable and efficient power supply to its residents and industries. The substation's modernization and maintenance will ensure that it remains ready to meet the city's future energy demands, supporting its continued growth and development.

In conclusion, the Pologround Substation's completion of 60 years of service is a significant milestone in Indore's history, marking the city's transformation from a textile mill-based economy to a modern and diversified city. The substation's role in providing reliable and efficient power supply has been instrumental in this transformation, and it will continue to play a vital role in the city's future growth and development.