Powerless Rajasthan makes power cuts mandatory

Jaipur, June 23 (UNI) Reeling under power shortage, Rajasthan has made power cuts mandatory in urban and industrial areas.

The power cuts have become a necessity to provide enough electricity for the irrigation of kharif crop, which have been worsened by scanty rainfalls.

According to official sources, due to shortage of water in Nathpa Jhakri, Dhauli, Ganga, Uri and Tanakpur hydro electric power plants, the electricity output has reduced to 50 lakh units per day instead of 85 lakh units earlier. Thus a shortage of 35 lakh units of electricity per day has to be managed.

The Bhakra hydro-electric project is producing only 70 lakh units instead of 90 lakh units each day because of silt sedimentation in its canal units.

Electricity output from wind energy has reduced to 50-60 lakh units in the last 4-5 days.

Officials said the closure of centrally managed 6500 MW Singrauli unit from April due to technical faults, has further aggravated the situation.

Rajasthan's thermal units are closed from April to September every year for annual maintenance, so that these units are functional during the Rabi crop season.

The 3210 MW number 3 unit of Kota thermal power project and 5,250 MW number 5 unit of Suratgarh have been closed from May 30 and June 16 respectively for annual maintenance work.

Moreover with the rising temperatures the demands for electricity have increased. As a result the frequency in Northern grid remains below 49 hertz. And it is not possible to overdraw power from Northern Grid.

Thus, two hour power cuts have been announced for urban residential areas while industrial units of 1 MV or more will have to go without power for the entire day.

UNI RRT CS RS1814