Power cuts hit Malwa region
Friday, 27/04/2012
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120427/punjab.htm#7
Several districts of the Malwa region, including Patiala, Barnala, Bathinda, Sangrur and Fatehgarh Sahib, are reeling under severe power cuts. Official data reveals that the total power availability from different sources as on April 25 was 1,024 lakh units (LU) whereas the demand was 1,045 LU, a shortfall of 21 LU.
Though figures provided by the PSPCL authorities portray a comfortable picture with no power cuts being imposed in the main cities of the state, the ground reality speaks otherwise.
For the past few days, power cuts ranging from two to four hours are being imposed on domestic consumers in Patiala. "It is surprising that despite the temperature being below normal, the PSPCL is resorting to power cuts," said Raminder Singh Aulakh, a local resident.
Sukhminder Singh, a resident of Jodhpur village on Barnala Road, said for the past few days they were braving six to eight hours of power cuts.
Similarly, in Sangrur, Ludhiana and nearby areas, half an hour to two-hour power cuts are being imposed.
Patiala Rural MLA Brahm Mohindra said: "The Badal government has been befooling the masses by claiming that it will ensure uninterrupted power supply. The policies of the present government are not good enough to achieve this”.
Arun Verma, director (distribution), PSPCL, said there was a temporary shortfall since some units of the Lehra Mohabbat and Ropar Thermal Plants were not operational. Verma claimed: "One unit of Lehra Mohabbat Thermal Plant got operational this morning, whereas one unit of Ropar Thermal Plant will be made functional by evening”.
