Two NTPC units down, power crisis may worsen in Punjab

Patiala, Aug 5 (UNI) The power crisis in Punjab may further deepen following the shut down of one unit each of Unchahaar Thermal Plant (210 MW) and Rihand Thermal Plant (500 MW) for annual maintenance.

Both these plants are being run by the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC).

Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) sources said here today that Punjab would lose its share of 16 lakh units (LUs) per day from these two plants. Further NTPC has not been able to arrange full quantum of gas for Anta, Auria and Dadri power stations (500MW) from where Punjab draws 50 MW power.

Meanwhile PSEB has managed to get additional 19 LUs from Rajasthan SLDC. Board has already started getting 24 LUs of power from Madhya Pradesh after the matter was taken up with MrVaish, MD of Madhya Pradesh Power Trading Company. T When contacted PSEB Chairman Y S Ratra said that the Board is fully aware about the hardships being faced by the consumers and is making earnest efforts to arrange additional power from various sources.

Meanwhile the demand of power has fallen from 1871 LUs on July 30 to around 1550 LUs owing to good rainfall in major parts of Punjab including Patiala, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Ferozepur and Ludhiana areas.

Mr Ratra hoped that with the normal rainfall and the best efforts of the Board to arrange more power, electricity consumers in Punjab would not face long power cuts. He further appealed to consumers to use air conditioners sparingly during this period and help PSEB in providing quality power supply in Punjab.

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