Power cut to cover up shortage in MP

Bhopal, Nov 6(UNI) The BJP government in Madhya Pradesh has blamed reduced electricity supply from the central pool for the present power crisis in the state leading to frequent power cut.

With availability of mere 2600 megawatt from its own sources, the Madhya Pradesh State Electricity Board is facing severe shortage with the demand touching 6200 MW and has resorted to power cut ranging from one to six hours in different areas.

Along with decline in availability of power from central sector, the present crisis was accentuated with increased demand for Rabi crop and the festival season. The uncovered shortfall remained at 700 MW, an official release said today.

The MP Power Trading Company is purchasing about 750 MW electricity during the night and 200 to 300 MW during the day from Punjab, Karnataka and Mumbai to tide over the crisis.

The state capital, Bhopal, has been exempted from power cut, while only 18 hour supply is maintained in tahsil headquarters.

The state was getting 2100 MW from thermal stations and 500 MW from hydel stations, besides 1400 MW from central pool.

From the joint sector projects on the Narmada river, the state was getting 750 MW- 300 MW each from Sardar Sarovar and Indira Sagar projects and 150 MW from Omkareshwar project.

From the central sector, power supply was expected at 1700 MW, but availability was 600 to 700 MW less than expected. Expectation was 200 MW each from Damodar Valley Corporation and from gas-based Kawas and Gandhar plants. But there was least possibility of getting power from DVC in this Rabi season, the release said.

With generation in Tarapur and Kakrapara nuclear power plants declining by 50 percent, power availability to the state had reduced by 125 to 150 megawatt.

The state was also not getting anticipated supply from under construction plants of NTPC at Kahalgaon and Sipat.

The state also expected availability of 500 MW by October this year from Birsinghpur plant being installed by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, but the erection work was incomplete and generation yet to be stabilised. High-level talks with BHEL was held to sort out the vexed issue, but uncertainity prevailed, the release added.

UNI