HC issues notices to Maha govt, power companies

A division bench of Justices Bhushan Dharmadhikari and Pramod Kode recently directed the state energy secretary along with the power distribution companies - Mahagenco, Mahadiscom, Mahatransco, KTPC and a private entity Wardha Power Company - to file their reply in two weeks after city-based lawyer Priyadarshan Madkholkar moved the court.

Madkholkar contended that KTPC has been gradually shutting down four units of 105 MW, 210 MW, 220 MW and 420 MW capacity without any reason. He alleged there was a "big conspiracy" hatched by politicians and top-ranked officials of respondent power companies behind this move and their bigger plan was to close down one of the major power plants in Vidarbha region.

This move will eventually extend undue benefit to Wardha Power Company, which is setting up its new power plant of 740 MW at Warora in Chandrapur district, about 110 km from here, under the Special Economic Zone, he said, adding the work on installing the second phase of 420 MW there is expected to start soon.

Madkholkar had said there was no shortage of power but after closure of these units acute power outages are taking place.

The counsel representing power companies argued that those units were closed down as they were running into huge losses and even Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) had reported that they were causing pollution in the nearby areas.