Power situation worsens in ongoing scorching weather

Lucknow, May 4 (UNI) Even as most blistering heat's still to arrive in the months of June and July, the widening gap between power demand and supply during the ongoing scorching weather has adversely hit the commanman's life in Uttar Pradesh.

The power problem has created a threat to the law and order situation in the state, as people have strated losing their temper and are now coming to the streets.

Enraged mob staged Dharnas and blocked roads in Satadatganj area of Lucknow yesterday. In Gorakhpur, people attacked power sub-stations and exchanged blows with the power employees recently.

At most places, people were hardly getting eight to 10 hrs of power supply as against the state government's directions for 16 hrs supply.

Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd (UPCCL) sources here today told UNI '' the state carries a demand of over 8,800 megawatt power daily, but it is getting 2,600 megawatt.'' Despite import of around 3,100 megawatt from the central sector, the gap between the power demand and supply still exists in the state, which results in power roastering, the UPCCL added.

The Centre has already warned UP and some other states to stop overdrawing power from Northern Grid, else get ready to face severe action, the UPPCL added.

On the other hand, 'commanman' is reeling under blistering heat with temperature touching 45 degree Celsius in the state. People resort to alternative means like generator and invertors, which also fail after a point. Even farmers have started using diesel pumps for irrigation purpose.

Situation in rural areas was even worse, where the electricity supply was only for four hrs.

State capital Lucknow, which comparatively has less power roastering, was also facing cuts from the last five days.

Report from Mahoba said transformer explosions and line theft were becoming a routine thing and creating threat to law and order situation.

Similar was the scene in other districts, comprising Bareilly, Faizabad, Ballia, Badaun, Moradabad, Bulandshahr, Pilibhit, Shahjahanpur, Barabanki and Siddharthnagar, where power crisis has also led to drinking water problem.

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