The Hindu : New Delhi News : Massive power, water crisis grips Capital

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Dec 16, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Massive power, water crisis grips Capital

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, DEC. 15. Residents of the Capital continued to experience unscheduled load-shedding and erratic supply of electricity for most part of the day today affecting their daily schedule. The situation on the water front was no better. And almost the entire Capital with the possible exception of East Delhi is expected to face a bigger water crisis on Thursday because of depletion of water level in Western Yamuna Canal, the Delhi Jal Board said.

A Delhi Transco official said peak demand of power supply met today was 2,819 MW -- the maximum so far this winter -- at 7-30 in the morning, while the maximum load shedding was 150 MW at 10-30 in the morning.

The BSES, which is responsible for distribution of electricity in South, South-West, Central and East Delhi, said it had to resort to unscheduled load shedding in several areas because of low frequency in the Northern Grid.

The areas worst affected were Sangam Vihar, Batra, Madangir, Khanpur, Dakshinpuri, Nangloi, Jaffarpur, Bindapur, Matiyala, Uttam Nagar, Papankalan, Dwarka, Bodella, Tilak Nagar, Janakpuri, Vikaspuri, Pankha Road, Seelampur and Karawal Nagar.

Complaints of power cuts and erratic supply were received from other areas as well -- Pushpa Vihar, Mehrauli, Aya Nagar, Chandni Chowk, Green Park, Sainik Farms, Kalkaji, Govindpuri, Savita Vihar, Okhla, Ashram, Nizamuddin, Mayur Vihar, Laxmi Nagar, Gagan Vihar, Preet Vihar and Patparganj.

The North Delhi Power Limited -- which seems to be catching fast with the BSES when it comes to regular power cuts -- had to resort to load shedding in its areas. Its engineers promptly disconnected power supply whenever the demand increased beyond its load in that area to avoid tripping of the system. Complaints of power cuts were received from Pitampura, Shalimar Bagh, Azadpur, Model Town, Gujaranwala town, Kondli, Jehangirpuri, Mangolpuri and Rohini. Residents alleged that a few hours of power cut daily has become a regular feature this winter. "This was not the case last year. This year things seem to be going out of the hand even before the actual winter has set in. Officials do not respond to our complaints. Despite repeated efforts they arrive several hours after a complaint is lodged to rectify the fault," alleged Rakesh Sinha, a resident of Model Town.

The BSES said power supply would remain affected due to regular maintenance work on Thursday in Tilak Bazaar, Ghee Mandi, New Krishna Market, Vishnu Garden, Harijan Basti, Khyala, Chowk Handi, Shahpura, Khyala JJ Colony, Chand Nagar and Karol Bagh. Load shedding in A and B Block, Gulabi Bagh Administration Flats, Shahzada Bagh, E - Block Kamla Nagar, part of Banglow Road and Ram Kishore Road and Pitampura by the NDPL.

Conceding that position on the water front was not comfortable, the DJB today announced that supply of water in several areas would be badly hit on December 16. The areas include North West, West Delhi, North and South Delhi, Nangloi, Mundka, Dwarka, Najafgarh and Pappankalan. Water supply will also be available at low pressure in the evening of December 16 in Pocket-E Nand Nagri, Pocket F Dilshad Garden, Rohini, Pitampura, East of Kailash, Sadar Bazaar and adjoining areas.

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