05-06-2006, 10:40 PM
<!--emo&<_<--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/dry.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='dry.gif' /><!--endemo--> Govt promises to end power woes
- NDTV Correspondent
Saturday, May 6, 2006 (New Delhi):
On a day when the capital sweated it out at 44 degrees Celsius, representatives from eight states, which draw power from the northern grid held a meeting with the Union Power Secretary.
The meeting came as a desperate measure to restore the power balance in northern India.
Maintenance work in 15 power plants has been put off as north India cannot afford any of these power plants to go offline.
"I agree that the health of the power plants might be affected in the long run but looking at the scenario right now and the demand supply ratio, this is the best we can do," said R V Shahi, Union Power Secretary.
Overdrawing power
North India is reeling under power cuts but the Power Secretary says things will look up soon.
The Naptha Jhakri project and Rajasthan windmill project will add another 1,600 MW to the northern grid in one week.
In the meantime those drawing power from the grid have been warned not to overdraw, especially Uttar Pradesh.
"After May 15 all our power plants will be in shape so we will not overdraw power from the northern grid anymore," said Ashok Kumar, Power Secretary, UP.
Traders relieved
The Delhi government meanwhile, clarified that shops in the city do not need to shut by 7:30 pm (IST) in the evening.
"From today we have started receiving 109 MW of power from Himachal Pradesh and we will get additional supply of 41 MW from Monday. Also as I had mentioned, we were supposed to get 210 MW of power from the Dadri power plant from May 15. We will start getting it now from May 12.
"I had also mentioned that if the situation improves, as it has as of today, the recommendation of the shops shutting down by 7:30 pm and commercial establishments to shut from 6:30 pm to 12:30 pm stands cancelled. But the decision over neon signs still continues. Neon signs will not be allowed to run between 7:00 pm and 11:00 pm," said Haroon Yusuf, Power Minister.
Another meeting will be held on May 31 to review the implementation of today's decisions.
- NDTV Correspondent
Saturday, May 6, 2006 (New Delhi):
On a day when the capital sweated it out at 44 degrees Celsius, representatives from eight states, which draw power from the northern grid held a meeting with the Union Power Secretary.
The meeting came as a desperate measure to restore the power balance in northern India.
Maintenance work in 15 power plants has been put off as north India cannot afford any of these power plants to go offline.
"I agree that the health of the power plants might be affected in the long run but looking at the scenario right now and the demand supply ratio, this is the best we can do," said R V Shahi, Union Power Secretary.
Overdrawing power
North India is reeling under power cuts but the Power Secretary says things will look up soon.
The Naptha Jhakri project and Rajasthan windmill project will add another 1,600 MW to the northern grid in one week.
In the meantime those drawing power from the grid have been warned not to overdraw, especially Uttar Pradesh.
"After May 15 all our power plants will be in shape so we will not overdraw power from the northern grid anymore," said Ashok Kumar, Power Secretary, UP.
Traders relieved
The Delhi government meanwhile, clarified that shops in the city do not need to shut by 7:30 pm (IST) in the evening.
"From today we have started receiving 109 MW of power from Himachal Pradesh and we will get additional supply of 41 MW from Monday. Also as I had mentioned, we were supposed to get 210 MW of power from the Dadri power plant from May 15. We will start getting it now from May 12.
"I had also mentioned that if the situation improves, as it has as of today, the recommendation of the shops shutting down by 7:30 pm and commercial establishments to shut from 6:30 pm to 12:30 pm stands cancelled. But the decision over neon signs still continues. Neon signs will not be allowed to run between 7:00 pm and 11:00 pm," said Haroon Yusuf, Power Minister.
Another meeting will be held on May 31 to review the implementation of today's decisions.