Punjab power crisis: SAD blames AAP govt for poor planning, expensive power purchases
PTC Web Desk: Punjab’s power crisis has intensified with electricity cuts now being reported even at district headquarters. The situation has triggered protests by farmers and criticism from the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), which has blamed the state government, led by Bhagwant Mann, for failing to manage the power supply.
SAD spokesperson Harjeet Singh said Punjab needed a strong and long-term power policy to deal with the crisis. “Punjab needs a strong power policy and a far-sighted government to bring the state out of darkness,” Harjeet Singh said.
SAD questions cost of power purchases
Harjeet Singh, however, blamed the government for what he described as poor power management. He claimed that Punjab was facing a demand of around 16,000 MW against generation of only about 4,200 MW, and alleged that the crisis was the result of government failure rather than only a shortage of coal.
He further alleged that the government was purchasing expensive power from private companies at rates of Rs 8, Rs 10 and even Rs 11 per unit, instead of making better use of the state's own generation capacity.
The SAD spokesperson said the government should focus on strengthening the state's power infrastructure and reducing dependence on expensive purchases.
He also accused the government of giving greater attention to publicity and advertisements instead of investing adequately in power reforms.
District headquarters face long cuts
The latest situation has become particularly concerning as district headquarters are facing long power cuts. Domestic consumers are also facing cuts of around 4-5 hours.
Agricultural consumers received only around six hours of supply during the day on Friday, while some groups of agricultural feeders received even less.
Farmers have raised concerns that reduced power supply could affect paddy fields, which depend heavily on tubewells for irrigation at this stage of the crop season.
Four thermal units shut down
The power shortage has been linked to reduced generation from thermal plants. Four thermal power units were reportedly out of operation on Thursday. At present, one unit each at Rajpura Thermal Power Plant and Talwandi Sabo Thermal Power Plant remains shut.
Coal availability is also a concern. Rajpura reportedly has around seven days of coal stock, while Talwandi Sabo has around four days of stock remaining.
Generation at the Ropar Thermal Plant is currently around half of its capacity, while all four units of the Lehra Mohabbat Thermal Plant are operational. The Goindwal thermal plant is generating around 510 MW, according to the available figures.
Farmers take to roads over power supply
The shortage has also led to protests in different parts of Punjab. In Mansa district, angry farmers blocked the Ratia Road on Friday. The Mansa-Barnala and Bathinda-Goniana roads were also blocked.
Also Read | Punjab power crisis deepens as coal stocks fall, demand crosses 16,000 MW
The industrial sector did not face cuts on Thursday, but fresh interruptions were reported in Ludhiana on Friday evening.
PSPCL Chairman and Managing Director Dr Basant Garg, however, attributed the immediate problem to the shutdown of four thermal units.
According to him, the period during which Punjab faces peak power demand has effectively stretched from around four-five hours to nearly 14 hours.
He expressed confidence that the power situation would improve by Saturday.
- PTC NEWS
