Power situation in Punjab grim: CM

Chandigarh, June 26 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh today said the adverse power scenario in the state was due to the fall in generation capacity of the Bhakra and the Ranjit Sagar dams.

''The generation capacity has been affected due to the fall in the water levels of the two dams'', he said while addressing a media conference here.

The water level in the Bhakra dam (Gobind Sagar reservoir) was below the expected level, he pointed out.This was because the snow in the sources of the rivers was melting at a slower pace this year as compared to last year, he added.

Capt Singh claimed that barring the last four days, the power situation in the state had been satisfactory. The state lost about 500 MW power in the last four days due to a fault in the Eastern grid, from where Punjab was purchasing electricity to meet the increasing demand in the paddy season, he added.

The Chief Minister reiterated that his government would not allow the power situation to deteriorate, even if it meant buying additional electricity from other sources.

UNI HS AD RK1859