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Apex court asks Delhi Govt. to file status report on power crisis

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Delhi Government to file a status report giving details of the way it proposes to improve the power situation in the Capital and steps to meet the shortfall in power supply.

A three-Judge Bench comprising Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, Justice R.V. Raveendran and Justice J.M. Panchal also asked the power distribution companies to file a report in four weeks on the demand and supply position. The Bench asked the Delhi Government to indicate how it proposes to increase the power supply if the 1,400 unauthorised residential colonies were to be regularised.

The Bench was hearing a 1999 petition complaining about the acute power crisis in the Capital. Senior counsel Ranjit Kumar, assisting the Court as amicus curiae, brought to the notice of the Court “inadequate steps” taken by the Delhi Government to improve power supply. As a result, the State would face deficit in power supply for another two years. He said for 2007-2008 the shortfall was about 823 MW a day and for 2008-2009 the anticipated deficit would be 1,065 MW a day.

He said the Delhi Government had earlier said it would set up a 1,000 MW combined cycle gas turbine station at Bawana and 330 MW Pragati Phase II plant for which feasibility report had already been prepared and all statutory clearances were available. However, the Centre had stated that such plants were not feasible as gas was in short supply. He said in view of the Centre’s stand the Delhi Government should be asked to file a status report.

On behalf of the Centre, it was submitted that 23 power projects had been cleared in the Central sector for generation of 17,503 MW of power and the tentative share of Delhi from this would be 5,720 MW. The Centre, however, said that as of now the Delhi Government would have to make its own arrangements to meet the shortfall.

Counsel for the Delhi Government, Wasim Qadri, said that the State was taking all steps to meet the demand and would file a comprehensive report.

On behalf of the power distribution companies it was submitted that unless the power generation improved it would not be possible for them to increase the supply. The Court adjourned the hearing by four weeks.

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