Vadodara: The upcoming shift of operations of Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) and its subsidiary, Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation (GETCO), to GIFT City in Gandhinagar has sparked concern among Vadodara’s business and industrial community. These power sector companies, currently headquartered in Vadodara, play a critical role in electricity transmission and distribution across Gujarat.

GUVNL oversees power distribution to over 1.80 crore consumers in the state through its four distribution companies. Meanwhile, GETCO is the key agency responsible for electricity transmission. Both entities are instrumental in managing Gujarat’s power infrastructure and currently operate from Vadodara.

However, with their operational offices being shifted to GIFT City, local stakeholders fear that Vadodara’s significance in the state’s power sector may diminish. The Federation of Gujarat Industries (FGI) has raised the issue with Lok Sabha MP Dr. Hemang Joshi, expressing concern that the move could reduce the accessibility of senior officials for local industries, thereby impacting coordination and service delivery.

Sources within the power sector noted that the relocation is driven by the frequent need for senior officials to attend government meetings in Gandhinagar. Operating from GIFT City would allow them to manage such engagements more efficiently. However, a formal announcement from the state government is still pending.

Notably, in December 2023, GETCO floated a tender seeking 45,000 square feet of leased space in GIFT City, signaling the intended shift in operations. DeshGujarat