Industry pays more to get regular power supply

In a move to ward off electricity crisis in Uttarakhand, at least 30 industrial units in the state have opted for uninterrupted power supply from Uttarakhand Power Corporation Ltd (UPCL) on higher rates.

"These industries have started taking continuous power supply from us on 20 per cent higher rates," UPCL Managing Director S Mohan Ram said.

"This is because we are also buying electricity at a higher cost," Ram said.

These industries are mainly from the glass and chemicals sectors. Ace Glass and IGL are among the 30 units which have started taking continuous power from UPCL.

This is being seen as a major initiative by UPCL in view of sharp increase in power demand from industries. Experts said that by opting for uninterrupted power supply from UPCL, the industrial production of these industries has been able to remain unaffected by the severe power crisis being faced by the state.

According to UPCL sources, the power demand from the industrial sector coupled with other factors has created a shortage of 3.5 to 3.8 million units in the state.

Ram said Uttarakhand was in talks with other Himalayan states like Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir to ensure steady power availability.

Following the power crisis, Chief Minister BC Khanduri has written to Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde demanding 250 Mw of power for the state.