Consumption curbs to cut shortfall in power-starved Delhi

New Delhi, May 5 (UNI) Power-starved Delhi is going for consumption curbs to cut the serious shortfall in demand.

The steps include curtailing the use of air conditioners in government offices after 1830 hrs, closure of markets by 1930 hrs and stoppage of power supply to industrial units between 1830-2030 hrs, Power Minister Haroon Yusuf told reporters.

The measures could help conserve 250-300 MW and partly help address the current shortfall in peak demand of 400 MW, he said, while pointing out that an additional 200 MW would be available from Himachal Pradesh from next week. Himachal already supplies 190 MW to the capital.

According to Power Secretary Rakesh Mehta, the steps are expected to be notified next week with ratification by the Lt Governor. ''No guidelines have been issued as yet'', he said.

Mr Yusuf was speaking to reporters soon after the Supreme Court directed the Centre and the Delhi Government to file affidavits within two weeks detailing the efforts being made by the authorities to augment power generation to overcome the current power crisis in the capital.

Rotational loadshedding was started in the capital after a unit of the Badarpur plant, supplying 630 MW to Delhi, tripped earlier this week.

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