Power cuts imposed in Punjab due to shortage of supply

Patiala, June 11 (UNI) Power cuts were imposed in Punjab after the Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) shut down all the six generating units of the 1500 MW Nathpa Jhakhri project due to excessve silt in the Sutlej river at the project site in Himachal Pradesh.

This informaion was given by Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) Y S Ratra here today. He however assured that the Board had made arrangements for buying power from other states and private companies on banking arrangements from June to September when the power requirement is the highest in view of the paddy season.

Punjab has a share of 150 MW in the Nathpa Jhakhri project and is getting 50 MW additional share out of the HP government share in the project.

Affected by this development, J&K has also temporarily suspended the supply of 100MW power to Punjab under banking arrangement. This has resulted in a sudden shortage of 300 MW power in Punjab.

The Chairman further informed that because of this sudden development, Board has been forced to impose power cuts of 2-3 hours in the domestic and commercial sectors.He however assured that the power cuts would be withdrawn as soon as the Nathpa Jhakhri plant resumes power generation.

The state government had already asked the Board to supply uniterrupted eight hour power to the agriculture sector in the paddy season.

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