Power supply position improves

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, MAY 14.

For the third time this summer, Delhi Vidyut Board managed successfully to supply more than 2,700 MW of power TODAY and officials claimed that the situation was not grim with load- shedding again reduced to less than 200 MW.

Though DVB's own generation dipped to 268 MW on Monday as against 300 MW on Sunday, the authorities supplied 2,708 MW of power at around 4 p.m. today and loadshedding then was recorded at 190 MW.

``We tackled this shortfall by power cuts in theft-prone areas and there was not much need of the loadshedding schedule,'' said the DVB Member (Technical-I), Mr. D.V. Bhatia.

Earlier, on May 10, the DVB has supplied highest 2,731 MW to Delhi-ites and again two days later on May 12, it touched 2,721 MW. The maximum loadshedding on Saturday was to the tune of 385 MW and on Sunday it reduced to nearly 250 MW. On Friday DVB had to resort to loadshedding of over 450 MW. ``Figures show that the situation is improving now. We are hoping it to continue with the availability of more power this week,'' Mr. Bhatia said. This is also due to overdrawing of power from the Northern Grid when the grid situation was good.

Despite the claims of an improved situation, residents from a large number of residential colonies complained of long hours of power cuts. They alleged that the loadshedding schedule was not being followed.

The DVB Enforcement Wing, meanwhile, has intensified its drive against thefts and those violating its regulations with regard to the months.

Beginning April 26, power has been disconnected to more than 30 neon signs, decoration lights, lights for advertising, display of goods on windows of shops and hoardings. These were mostly in Shalimar Bagh, Tilak Nagar, Lajpat Nagar, Greater Kailash and Pitampura. Under the present laws, though a bit outdated, for violation of the summer regulations, electricity is disconnected for four days and imposed a penalty of Rs 100.

Similarly, in the last fortnight power connections to about two dozen residential premises have been dis-connected in colonies like Greater Kailash, South Extension, Lajpat Nagar, Daryaganj, Rajouri Garden, Shalimar Bagh and Pitampura for using air- conditioners.

``A large number of market places have been warned to close their shops by the scheduled 7 p.m. or face action by disconnection of power for four days,'' said Mr. D. Bagchi, head of the Enforcement Wing. ``The warning has already worked as many shops and markets have started closing down their shutters by 7 p.m. For instance, the Ansal Plaza is no more using neon signs and other lights for decoration,'' he added.

According to Mr. Bagchi, a joint team of the police and the DVB officials were moving around the capital to detect the violations. ``Daily report is being sent to the Lieutenant Governor, Chief Minister and the Power Minister,'' he said.

Meanwhile, in another major detection of power theft, DVB officials came across illegal connections by as many as 26 nurseries at about 28 acres of Railway land in Ashok Vihar area of North West Delhi. ``We detected 350 kw of theft on Sunday in a surprise raid. All had taken illegal power connection from the nearby electricity pole. It was immediately disconnected and action has been initiated against them,'' he said.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Other States
Previous : HC seeks bungalow records
Next     : Walled city to be cleared of thela rickshaws