'The project's focus on governance improvements and capacity building of the state's transmission and distribution utilities will help establish national benchmarks in customer service and operational efficiency,' said Sudeshna Banerjee, World Bank economist and project team leader.

Besides enhancing the physical capacity of the state's transmission and distribution network, the project also aims to assist the power utilities to address the new business challenges and support institutional development.

'The bank also supports Haryana's initiative to segregate agricultural and non-agricultural feeders which will not only enable a more accurate estimation of agricultural consumption and resulting subsidy levels but also facilitate 24 hour power supply to agricultural households,' said Banerjee.