Power position in Punjab worsens, long cuts imposed Power position in Punjab worsens, long cuts imposed
GAGANDEEP AHUJA
Friday, 19 June 2009
PATIALA: The power position in Punjab has further worsened Friday as Punjab electricity board (PSEB) has enforced longer cuts in urban areas for 8 hours and 12 hours cut in rural domestic supply. PSEB is facing the short fall in the availability of power.

On Friday the availability of power was only 1400 units as compared to the demand of 1700 lacs units. The gap of 300 lac units has forced PSEB to increased power cuts.

The problem has become worsened as one unit of Bathinda Thermal plant shut down due to technical snag. Another unit of Lehra Mohabbat Thermal plant has also broke down due to similar problem.

An official spokesman said that due to swift action taken thermal engineers generation from Bathinda plant has been resumed with in one hour where as one plant of Lehra Mohabbat could resumed in two hours.

The unit no, 3 of Thermal power plant of Ropar has re- commissioned now after 14 hours, he added.

Citing the power supply details from various sources he said that thermal plants have been producing 177 Lcus, Hydels 562 Lucs, NRSE 12 Lucs, BBMB 136 Lucs and Centarl poll 572 Lucs.

Regarding increase in power demand he put the blame on the use of air-conditioners by the consumers and said that there was no move to ban its use. He added that PSEB has adopted others preventive measures for use of decorative lights in marriage functions etc.

He however denied that discrimination has been made for the power supply to rural and urban domestic feeder. He said that PSEB chairman HS Brar has issued strict guidelines not to discriminate in it.

He clarified that power cuts too imposed in power colonies of board and even houses of chairman and members have no power during power cut hours.

Regarding coal stock position he said that coal stock at Ropar thermal plant, Lehra Mohabat thermal plant were sufficient and nothing to worry about it.