J&K to import power from Chhattisgarh to meet winter requirements

Srinagar, Nov 09, 2008: Jammu and Kashmir has decided to import 100 MW power from Chhattisgarh to meet the increasing demand during winter months when the local generation goes down because of low water level in the rivers. A senior officer of the Power Development Department (PDD) said because of increase in the demand during winter months when the temperature and water level in main rivers goes down, resulting in low generation locally.
He said the state signed an agreement with the Chhattisgarh by which the would import 100 MW of power during winter month. However, it would be exporting 100 MW of power to Chhattisgarh during the summer months when the generation goes up against the local demand.

He said in both the cases no state has to pay the cost of the energy.

The state was facing acute power shortage during winter months every year as the water level in main rivers goes down resulting in drop in the generation.

The PDD had recently announced more than 14 hours of power cuts daily in the state, which was resented by the people, forcing Governor N N Vohra to intervene who directed the PDD authorities to implement last years power curtailment schedule.

However, people from almost all areas complained that frequent power failure, besides routine power curtailment, had affected the normal life, particularly students.

-- (UNI) --