Power shutdown will cripple industries in Maharashtra: IMC

Mumbai, Feb 12 (UNI) A two-day per week, cent per cent power shutdown of industries in Maharashtra could be a slow and sure death of industries in the state, according to Indian Merchants' Chamber (IMC).

IMC President Nayan Patel said he feared the power shortage could prove to be the Achilles' Heel of Maharashtra, which claimed to be the driver of industrial growth in the country.

Alarmed by the fast-drifting situation, the IMC was quick to organise a major weekend conference of all stakeholders, including the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Authority (MERC) and the Maharashtra State Electricity Board's generation company and others for impressing upon them about the gravity of the situation.

Both, MERC Chairman Pramod Deo and Mahagenco Ajoy Mehta admitted that the power supply situation was grim and was likely to continue to remain as such for a couple of years due to burgeoning demands to the extent of 1000 MW annually only from two sectors - ongoing energising of agricultural pumps and additional connections being given to newly built households, despite some new generation projects going on stream.

Mr Patel said, ''Our worst fears appear to be coming true.

Industries in Maharashtra cannot remain economically viable for the next two years, when some new major projects are expected to be commissioned. The severe power shortage might not only force the investors to rethink about setting up their projects in Maharashtra but also set off a spree of exodus of the existing units to other more hospitable states.'' He appealed to the Chief Minister to intervene immediately to stem the drifting situation. Meanwhile, he urged the industries in Maharashtra to do their best to cooperate with authorities in saving power by switching to more power-efficient machinery and production systems.

He also appealed to the power transmission and distribution companies to put in place advanced system to reduce the level of dissipation of power immediately. Besides, stringent steps were also required to curb power thefts, which are taking place on a massive scale under political patronage. This appalling situation must be put to an end forthwith, Mr Patel stressed.

UNI