State powerless to battle summer - Authorities fail to work out solution, pin hopes on monsoon
Sunday, 24/06/2012
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120624/punjab.htm#1
Having forced to spend hot and sultry days without power, consumers feel that the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) and the state government have failed miserably to work out a practical solution to the power crisis.
Inquiries made by The Tribune has brought to light that during power paucity in the past, the government restricted the use of air conditioners in its offices, besides resorting to other measures, to ensure better power supply.
Some former PSPCL officials said: “It is surprising that except making excuses for the prevailing power crisis, the PSPCL authorities have done nothing to handle the situation. They should ask the government to restrict the use of ACs in its offices across the state for a given period”.
Patiala Rural MLA Brahm Mohindra said: “Power being consumed by ACs in government offices is immense. Office timings should be changed to 7.30 am to 1.30 pm. This would help ease out the situation to some extent.”
Even a senior PSPCL official admitted to ill-preparedness of the corporation in dealing with summer crisis. He said: “Restriction on power transfer capacity by Northern Regional Load Despatch Centre (NRLDC), which is 5,400 MW, is a known fact. The corporation cannot blame it for the present situation”.
Overloading of the distribution system makes it amply clear that necessary steps were not taken by the corporation to ensure smooth supply during peak summer months.
In a statement, KD Chaudhri, CMD, PSPCL, said the corporation had made adequate arrangements on the basis of anticipated power demand in summer and on account of the paddy season, but the hot spell had upset estimates.
“There is an unprecedented increase in the demand for power as compared to previous years due to the dry weather conditions prevailing in the region. The PSPCL is prepared to supply up to 2,000 lakh units (LU) per day whereas the present demand is 2,150 LU and is likely to go up further,” he said.
“As soon as the monsoon arrives, the load is likely to reduce and the PSPCL will be able to provide uninterrupted supply,” he said.
No respite in sight
The government usually restricts the use of ACs in its offices in peak summer months. No such decision has been taken so far
Besides scheduled power cuts, two-three hour cuts are being imposed in residential areas across the state
Patiala and Sangrur residents complained of no power all of Friday night
Power paucity has also hit water supply. Tubewells are not operational in Patiala, Ludhiana and Sangrur besides several other parts of the state.
