Tech snag rubs salt into power-less Delhi’s wounds

As the mercury dropped by one degree Celsius on Saturday, so did the demand for power. However, parts of Delhi continued to face power crises with South Delhi being the worst affected as Badarpur Thermal Power Plant stopped all functions because of a technical snag.

Being a weekend, the power demand remained competitively lesser than in the past two days. The peak demand for power on Saturday was 4258 mega watts, against the demand of 5034 mega watt on Friday and 5032 mega watt of Thursday. The maximum temperature on Saturday remained at 42.7 degree Celsius.

Despite a lower demand for power, parts of Delhi continued to face power cuts for more than two hours a day. The Badarpur Thermal Power Plant that produces 400 mega watt of power faced a technical glitch resulting in load shedding in several areas of South Delhi including Vasant Vihar, Lajpat Nagar, Greater Kailash, Panchsheel Park, CR Park and other adjoining areas. The error was rectified by the evening. “Whole afternoon there was no power. The inverters also gave in after a few hours,” said Kanchan Sharma, a resident of Kalkaji.

South Delhi will be facing power cuts on Sunday as well. The 220 KV sub station at Lodhi Road is to undergo maintenance work during the first half on Sunday. “We have tried to make some alternate arrangements, but power supply can be disrupted on rotation basis,” said Delhi Transco spokesperson.

The power condition was no better in Noida, adjoining Delhi. Noida too reported voltage fluctuation and power cuts for over three hours on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the maximum temperature on Saturday was recoded at 42.7 degree Celsius against the 44 degree Celsius recorded on Friday. The weatherman calls it the effect of Western disturbance that is hitting Jammu and Kashmir. “The temperature is likely to be around 43 degrees on Sunday and heat waves will continue to blow,” said Met officer RK Jenamani.

The Delhi BJP meanwhile has taken on to the Government for favouring the power companies while the residents of Delhi are living without power. Delhi BJP President Vijender Gupta has demanded that the LG should order a high power enquiry into the matter. “Both Delhi Government and Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission are aware of the fact that the power companies are selling power meant for Delhi at the rate of `5 to `8 a unit to neighbouring States and earning heavy profit. The Government is only supporting these companies and allowing them to extract money from people in the name of fuel surcharge,” alleges Gupta.