The overwhelming amount of information (Igbokwe, et .al 2005) on electric poles, circuits, transformers etc can be better organised on a computer system linking the database to geographic maps within a relatively short time. These various types of information systems that support decision-making are collectively referred to as DSS. Implementation of GIS as DSS can make information up to date and accurate. GIS can effectively manage the spatial and non-spatial electricity distribution information as well as information describing the attributes of each customer such as name, address, location and electricity use.

1.1 Objective
The primary objective of the study undertaken is to implement GIS in the power sector for power distribution management. Some of the key tasks, which are planned to be achieved through GIS, are:
• power pilferage analysis by determining the amount of power consumed by a particular consumer against the load sanctioned
• information extraction from every electric pole and determining its location on the landbase
• to trace the entire path from consumer up to the feeder electric pole
• customer billing analysis
• customer complaint analysis
• network switching

2 Problem analysis
Power utilities in India are under pressure to slash charges and improve quality and reliability (Sharma M., Khare M., 1999). Though the distribution and transmission systems have witnessed considerable technical development and capital investment, the distribution and to some extent, the sub-transmission systems have been neglected and have suffered due to poor operating efficiencies leading to financial losses and cynical customer perception. Distribution systems have suffered mainly from the following:
• unbalanced load flow
• poor voltage regulation
• high level of technical (peak power / energy) losses
• conductor heating / equipment damages
• very high unaccounted energy losses
[20-40% as against international standards of 8-10%]

Improving the performance of distribution systems to meet required targets hinges on selection of cost-effective technologies and operating practices. The systems tend to be extensive with a long life span for conductors and plant. It is not sufficient to analyse how a particular portion of the network may be modified to improve its performance today. It is imperative to investigate long-term solutions especially so, since the implementation of the solutions will also entail decisions involving large-scale investments (Arbea J.P., 2002). A power distribution software based on an integration of dedicated GIS + public works and engineering analysis (viz., network analysis) solution will provide the right kind of approach for addressing the issues that have been raised above. The advantages of using a dedicated GIS + public works approach are manifold: