Powerless AP to shut industries twice a week

POWERLESS IN AP: An additional 700 MW of power is required to meet the demand in Hyderabad alone.

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New Delhi: A shortfall in rains this year has aggravated the power crisis in many states. Maharashtra has now started getting 500 MW additional power from the Central pool, but the situation remains grim in other southern states.

In Andhra Pradesh, the government has directed industries to shut down all work for two days in a week. A fortnight ago, power officials had asked industries to down shutters for one day in a week.

Thanks to official power cuts and emergency load shedding, industries across the state are already struggling to maintain the production targets. It is estimated that the power cuts have brought down production in the cement, steel, ceramic and chemical industries in the state by around 30 per cent and production is set to come down further with the increase in the duration of power cuts.

The power cut is to be implemented in rotation. Officials say an additional 700 MW of power is required to meet the demand in and around Hyderabad alone.

"We had asked for additional 700 MW power to cater to increased demand in and around Hyderabad city but it has not materialised, so there is no option but to go for load shedding. Power cuts will be implemented in rotation, so the electricity system would get the required relief," said Director of Central Discom, Ravinder Reddy.