More than 12 hours of power cut continued in Coimbatore district for the third day on Friday with no respite in sight.
The supply has turned worse in rural areas of the district with most parts having three phase supply for just two to three hours during day time.
The unscheduled power cuts have hit normal life across society, from households to industries. Be it operating the grinder at home, pumping water or operating machinery in industries, uncertainty over power supply has thrown regular schedules astray.
“Discussions are on and we expect an announcement in a day or two on the measures that can be taken to streamline the supply,” says an official of Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) here. Trade and industry associations plan to suggest measures that will help manage the shortage, which is estimated to be nearly 6,000 MW.
The Coimbatore Consumer Cause has sought action from the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission on the State power utility for discrimination in distribution of the power available. “Even though the power cut is more than 10 to 12 hours in most parts of the State, Chennai city is spared and power cut is only for one hour there,” says K. Kathirmathiyon, secretary of the consumer organisation. “When all the consumers are paying equal charges for the power consumed as prescribed by the Licensee, how the Licensee could discriminate between the consumers?,” he asks in a release.
The power available should be distributed equally, power cut should be announced, use of lavish lighting should be banned and new High Tension connections should not be granted till the situation improves, he says.
The TANGEDCO official says use of neon lights in commercial establishments, focus lights, and high mast lamps should be brought down, especially when there is severe shortage in power availability now.
Use of street lights can also be planned and managed to reduce power consumption. This will help save power during the peak hour of 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The TANGEDCO officials will visit retail outlets and urge them to reduce the use of power consuming lights during the peak hour.
