Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Friday urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to intervene and ensure the easing of congestion in the electricity transmission corridor to enable Tamil Nadu avail of contracted power from other States.
In a letter to Dr. Singh, the Chief Minister explained how the State was being deprived of the contracted power owing to the non-availability of the corridor.
She cited examples and stated that though the State had contracted 500 megawatt (MW) from Gujarat, only 203 MW could be transmitted. Likewise, 727 MW of night power contracted from the Dadri power station run by the NTPC in Uttar Pradesh was also curtailed. Tamil Nadu had contracted to the extent of 1,750 MW from other States for March but the Central load despatching authorities had released the corridor availability to the extent of only 350 MW.
Pointing out that the State is reeling under an acute power crisis, she said major power projects to be executed by the Central public sector undertakings such as Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) and NTPC were inordinately delayed. To offset the deficit partially, Tamil Nadu was trying to procure power from others. It had been fairly successful in finalising contracts for a sizable quantum of power. However, the non-availability of a transmission corridor had deprived it of the contracted power.
“This has caused indescribable anguish in Tamil Nadu. The power deficit situation in Tamil Nadu has been aggravated by the prevailing corridor congestion. The problem of corridor congestion has also been represented to the Central authorities several times,” she said, requesting Dr Singh to ensure that the required quantum of 1,000 MW of power transmission lines was released to enable Tamil Nadu to receive power contracted by the State power utility.
Recalling that she had, in her memorandum presented to him in June last, sought 1,000 MW of additional power for the State for one year till the Central utilities that supplied power to Tamil Nadu commenced production, she informed him that only 100 MW was recently allotted.
“This inaction and non-responsiveness to our repeated requests during this unprecedented power crisis only shows callousness and indifference on the part of the Centre. The amazing alacrity shown in superimposing fetters on the rights of the States may also be bestowed on concern for the essential needs of the States and attention to fulfilling them.”
She also requested him to use his good offices for allotting 1000 MW to Tamil Nadu as earlier requested by her.
