We’re still facing a crisis, says power board chief
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, October 3
“Analysing the current status, it is unpredictable how long people will have to bear power cuts in the state,” said HS Brar, chairman, Punjab State Electricity Board, here today.

Brar was here for a meeting with the PSEB officials of the West Zone.

Speaking to the media, the chairman clearly expressed his inability to announce the date when the power crisis would be tackled, adding, “Despite generating 2 per cent more energy, in comparison to the previous year, we are still facing a huge crisis. It is the climatic and behavioural changes which have increased the demand by about 20 per cent from the previous year in the same days.”

“We are not at fault. It was deficit rains which hit us severely. If we see the level at Bhakhra, Anandpur Sahib and Ranjit Sagar Dam, it has caused a loss of 350 MW, which is equivalent to the total generation of a thermal power plant.”

Giving data of declined level of water, he said according to the latest report, the water level at Bhakra Dam was 40 ft low, at Pong Dam it was low about 51.5 ft and at Ranjit Sagar Dam the decline was recorded at 50 ft.

When asked about the burden of giving thousands of tubewell connections in the recent poll days, despite knowing that the PSEB could not set up any of the proposed plants, he said, “It is the policy of the state government. I just have to follow directions.”

Regarding the total distribution and system losses of the PSEB, he said at present the board was suffering about 19.91 per cent, which included all kinds of losses. However, he maintained to check theft cases, the enforcement wings of the PSEB had been streamlined.

He disclosed that PSEB was going to shut down one unit of Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant, Bathinda, from October 8 for a month and one unit of Guru Hargobind Thermal Plant, Lehra Mohabbat, from October 20 for 20 days for annual maintenance purposes.