The load shedding in Vidarbha, Marathwada and Khandesh is inevitable, as the power generating and distributing companies are facing acute shortage of coal. Defaulters in timely payment of electric bills have made the issue more critical. This was stated by Energy Minister Dr Nitin Raut.
Dr Raut stated that as an urgent step a War Room has been created to detect and control power thefts. The difficult in power generation and shortage in supply are likely to be more severe during the summer, as the demand increases. The power generation company Mahagenco is facing deficit of about 3000 MW per day. The demand during the season is likely to increase upto bout 30,000 MW, Dr Raut stated, which is about 28,000 MW at present.
This is the situation even when extra power is being purchased by MSEDCL.
Dr Raut said that the areas, where power thefts are more will have to face the severe power cuts.
Talks with the Union Government are in progress about the support to overcome the problems. Dr Raut also spoke about efforts to get long term loan to meet the crisis. The State has storage of power which would last for about 17 days only.
Besides load shedding, hike is tariff is thus inevitable.
