The State government’s move to double load shedding duration of Chennai to two hours from Thursday has paid immediate dividends as the southern districts experienced a marked improvement in power supply through the day.
M.R. Rajendran, president of Kappalur Industrial Estate Manufacturers’ Association, with around 250 small units employing 12,000 workers in the estate, told The Hindu that power cuts were reduced to six hours during day time on Thursday from the earlier eight hours.
Further, the quality of power had also improved as there were no frequent disruptions in power supply, which was the norm earlier. The authorities had also assured the industrial estate that power supply would be provided continuously at night.
Improved supply
P. Sitaraman, founder-president and current executive committee of Plastic Manufacturers’ Association of Madurai (PLASMA), said that industries received power from 12 noon to 6 p.m. Also, the officials had assured to provide continuous supply from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Welcoming the move, Tamil Nadu Small and Tiny Industries Association (TANSTIA) vice-president K.R. Gnanasambandan said that the Chief Minister’s move to form a committee to review the power situation would be of help to the industry.
However, he added that the government must also consult the trade and industry associations and brief them on the power situation.
Major demand
Increasing the load shedding to the State capital was a major demand of trade and industry bodies in the south Tamil Nadu. While the daily requirement of Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO), Madurai Region, which comprises five southern districts of Madurai, Theni, Dindigul, Sivaganga and Ramanathapuram, was around 1,100 MW, Chennai alone consumed more than 2,400 MW.
According to TANGEDCO sources, most of the urban areas in the Madurai Region were given only three to four hours of load shedding during daytime instead of the usual eight hours. However, the official said that widespread rains in the State could also have played a part in providing relief from power cuts.
