Power crisis in Uttar Pradesh worsened with the State unable to meet the demand for electricity, which had multiplied on account of the intense heat wave sweeping the plains. Peak hour demand for power had climbed to 9300-9400 megawatt with the availability pegged at around 6200 to 6500 mw, including the State's share from the central pool.
Emergency power cuts to the tune of 2500 mw were being enforced by the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited in order to restore a balance between demand and supply of electricity.
In order to cope with the rising demand of electricity, the UP Power Corporation has sought 300 mw from Himachal Pradesh at a cost of Rs.8 per unit. Power Corporation sources said on Monday that a formal request has been sent to the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation and it is hoped that it would agree to give power to UP. In 2009, Himachal had supplied 400 mw of power between April 1 and September 30 to Uttar Pradesh.
Besides, Himachal Pradesh, the National Thermal Power Corporation has also been asked to give the full quota of electricity to UP from its power utilities in the State. According to UPPCL officials, UP's quota is around 4500 mw but it was getting only about 3000 mw.
Meanwhile, the ongoing power crisis threatens to create a law and order problem as the people reeling under the impact of the frequent and unscheduled power outages had resorted to beating the power employees and causing damage to sub-stations. In Jalaun district, a junior engineer and two other employees stationed at the 132 kv sub-station in Konch were beaten up by a irate crowd of about 100 , who gheraoed and stormed the station in protest against the power cuts late on Saturday night. The junior engineer, Mohammad Arif suffered a fracture after he jumped from the roof of the sub-station to escape mob fury.
The ADG ( Law and Order ), Brij Lal told reporters here on Monday that the junior engineer and two other employees were admitted to the Orai district hospital and an FIR has been lodged against 40 to 50 unknown persons.
