The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Load shedding may be lifted in 15 days

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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Load shedding may be lifted in 15 days

Special Correspondent

Recent rain likely to ease power supply problem
Centre has commenced supply of additional
150 MW of power

BANGALORE: Energy Minister K.S. Eshwarappa on Friday gave a categorical assurance that the Government would withdraw load shedding in all parts of the State within a fortnight.

Speaking to presspersons on the sidelines of a seminar on “Power scenario in the State,” organised by the Karnataka Electricity Board Engineers’ Association here, Mr. Eshwarappa said the Government was looking out for additional power from various States to tide over the power shortage. Besides, the rain in several dry districts of the State was also expected to ease the power supply problem to a great extent.

The Minister said certain measures had been initiated to tide over the power shortage. The Centre had commenced supply of an additional 150 MW of power a few days ago. Similarly, the State had increased the water release from Alamatti dam to facilitate generation of 50 MW of power at the Alamatti dam power house.

The officials concerned would commence talks with independent power producers to examine the possibility of buying additional power from them. Pointing out that procuring additional power at this time when most of the States were facing shortage of power was a costly affair, he said: “Money is not an issue at all. All that we want is that people of the State should be relieved from the power problems. We do not want students preparing for their examinations to suffer due to power cuts.”

He explained that as of now the State was capable of supplying 110 million units of power to enable the hydel resources to hold good till the onset of next monsoon. However, with consumption touching nearly 120 MUs in the last few days owing to the prolonged dry spell, the authorities had to opt for load shedding. The rains in the last two days in some areas of the State and the forecast of more rain in the next few days had given rise to hope.

When asked why the Government was desisting from making public the exact duration of load shedding in different areas, the Minister said the Government did not want to create a fear psychosis among people about power situation, especially at a time when there was a clear possibility of the problem easing out any time.

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