By Perez Bari, TwoCircles.net,
Bhopal: The facts and figures given by the Energy Department today, have belied the false propaganda about generation and supply of power in Madhya Pradesh.
It has been made clear that the power generation which was only 2991 megawatts during the year 2002-2003 has now been increased to 6138 megawatt which denotes a whopping increase of 3147 megawatts. Newly commissioned 500 mw unit of Birsinghpur thermal power plant and 210 mw Amarkantak unit have also led to rise in power generation. This 3147 mw increase is the result of constant hard work and efficient efforts. This achievement is all the more important since it has been made even after curtailment of supply of coal and delay by the Centre in implementing its projects.
Bringing the truth forth, the department said that during the year 2002-03, only 8107 million units of power were supplied by July 2002 while as on July 27, 2008, 9859 million units of power has been supplied which is 22 per cent more than that supplied in the year 2002-03.
During the last four years, the state government spent Rs 2166 crore on purchasing 5561 million units of power in the interest of power consumers in the state. During the last three years, round the clock power supply to industries was ensured.
The department has attributed present shortage of power to truant monsoon and global warming by which the entire world is affected. Due to paucity of rains, most of the water reservoirs in the state do not have adequate water and thus power generation work has been affected. The water level of Indira Sagar stands 11.5 metre below the last year’s level. This shortfall is 25 feet in Gandhi Sagar and 9.3 metre in Pench Project. Another factor of short supply is closure of Central government’s power plants Vindhyachal (500 mw), Korba (500 mw) and 210 mw Sanjay Gandhi unit of the state government due to annual maintenance work.
Despite all these factors, it has been endeavour of the state government to ensure adequate power supply to the consumers in the state at any cost. The state government is making outmost efforts to overcome the slight power shortage. Due to these efforts, power is being supplied for 22.30 hours at divisional headquarters, 20 hours at district headquarters, 16 to 17 hours at Tahsil headquarters and 12 to 14 hours in the rural areas. ([email protected])