Rise In Mp Power Capacity Brings No Respite

The power situation in Madhya Pradesh remains grim despite the Madhya Pradesh State Electricity Board's claim of an increase in hydel and thermal power generation. The state electricity board today said the power generation capacity had increased by 831.95 MW during the past eight-and-a-half years. This included a 630 mw increase in thermal and a 201.95 mw increase in hydel power generation. The power generation capacity of 12 units also increased in February 2002, the board said.

According to the board, the capacity of the Sanjay Gandhi thermal power station Number 2 had increased by 210 mw, the capacities of the Hasdeo Bango hydel power station's units 1 and 2 had risen by 40 mw and 80 mw, respectively.

Similarly, according to the board, the generation capacities of other units had also gone up. Despite this, the power situation in the state is not improving. There in no respite from regular power cuts and voltage fluctuations.

According to official sources, there is a gap of 1,000 mw between the demand and supply of power in the state.

The total demand in the state stands at around 3,900 mw, whereas only 2,900 mw of power is generated in the state. Of this, the thermal stations contribute around 1,460 mw and the hydel power stations contribute around 550 mw. The rest is contributed by the National Thermal Power Corporation. Heavy rainfall has raised the water level in reservoirs of the Gandhisagar dam (1249.19 ft), the Bargi dam (414.35 meters), the Tons dam (280 mts), the Rajghat dam (476.13 mts), the Ban Sagar dam (322.70 mts) and the Pench reservoir (479.95 mts).

The chairman of the state electricity board, SK Dasgupta, was not available for comment on the continuing power crisis in the state.