Several builders here are switching over to generators for construction of buildings from use of temporary power connection.
President of the Builders’ Association of India, Coimbatore centre, R. Krishnaswamy, said nearly 75 per cent of the builders have gone in for generators. They use grid power only if they need more power or if they already have a power connection at the project site. The cost for temporary connections is very high and it is relatively cheaper to use diesel generators.
An official of the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) here said that the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) had made two modifications recently in temporary connection for construction.
In the case of additional construction of less than 2,000 sq.ft in an existing premises of a Low Tension (LT) consumer, the supply will be charged under the existing tariff except in the case of agricultural and hut services. If it is more than 2,000 sq.ft., the consumer should get a temporary connection.
For new constructions, the consumer should go in for a temporary connection. However, extension costs will not be collected for temporary connections for construction. The consumer will be charged under temporary supply tariff and will give an undertaking that the temporary supply will be converted into permanent category after construction. This applies for construction of all kinds of buildings. The official said they were waiting for working instructions to implement it.
According to the TNERC notification (an amendment to the tariff order issued in June this year), this will come into effect from the date of publication in the Gazette of the State Government. Though the notification was issued early this month, the Government is yet to publish it in the gazette.
This has resulted in some consumers going in for temporary connection paying the extension charges and some others waiting for the notification to be implemented. Many have gone in for generators.
K. Kathirmathiyon, secretary of Coimbatore Consumer Cause, said that there is no detail yet on when the notification will be implemented. This has created problems for the public.
