The Hindu : New Delhi News : Tempers run high over power crisis in Uttar Pradesh

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jul 19, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Tempers run high over power crisis in Uttar Pradesh

LUCKNOW, JULY 18. Even as the power scenario continued to be grim in Uttar Pradesh following delayed monsoons, the State Government is faced with a piquant situation in the affected towns with people resorting to violent demonstrations.

With an average shortfall of about 2,000 Megawatt (MW) during peak hour, the State Government is facing an uphill task in power supply.

A senior UP Power Corporation official told UNI here that 10 to 20 hours of power cuts was underway in all the towns, while in the capital Lucknow, it was being done in a phased manner to prevent burning of sub-stations.

``Delayed monsoon is the main reason for power crisis while lack of quality electricity production is one of the reasons for poor generation,'' the official claimed.

Against the installed capacity of 3,992 MW generation by the thermal units in UP, at present only 1,900 MW is being generated, mostly by the newly built Anpara B and Obra B units.

Although the UP Power Corporation is importing power to the tune of Rs. 15 crore per day from the Central sectors, the power scarcity is increasing day by day, said the official.

Adding to this, two thermal power generating units were been shut down yesterday making the situation critical.

Reports from Allahabad, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Bareilly, Kanpur and other parts said people were holding demonstrations against the powers cuts especially during late night hours.

A senior official told UNI here today even after importing 3,212 MW worth over Rs 15 crore daily, the power shortage was around 1,400 mw per day. ``During peak hours, the shortfall increases to 2,000 MW which is alarming,'' he remarked.

Sources said the total demand of UP stood at 6,821 MW during normal period while the total generation was only around 2,500 MW, when all units were in working condition.

Meanwhile, All India Power Engineers Federation secretary general, Shailendra Dubey, urging the State Government to make adequate security arrangement at power installations and for power employees following people's outburst, said the shortfall could only be tackled by starting the construction of Anpara C power unit.

Contradicting UP governments claim that private power generation including the Reliance Power Project would end the problem, Mr. Dubey told UNI here Anpara C could be a viable generation unit as private entrepreneurs were not reliable.

``When the Power Finance Corporation (PFC) is ready to finance Rs 3,500 crore for the 1,000 MW Anpara-C unit it is unfortunate the State Government has taken no interest on the issue,'' he claimed.

Holding the UP government responsible for power crisis and low power generation, Mr. Dubey said no care was being taken for the maintenance of generation units. Besides, except for Anpara (1630 MW) and Obra-B (1000 MW), all other thermal power plants had surpassed their lifespan. --UNI

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