123Pune.com

NAGPUR: In order to reduce emergency load-shedding, which causes inconvenience to consumers, Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) head office has directed chief engineers to increase by one hour the scheduled power cuts from August 27.

This means the duration of power cut in Congress Nagar division will be 4 hrs 45 min, Mahal - 7 hours, and Civil Lines and Gandhibagh - 7 hrs 45 min each.

It is learnt that MSEDCL has not sought permission from the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) to increase load-shedding and is implementing this as a temporary measure.

Meanwhile, MSEDCL has directed all its chief engineers to make special efforts to reduce the unscheduled load-shedding in all regions. The directions were issued in a review meeting held on Monday to take stock of power scenario in the state.

It was attended by acting power secretary and Mahatransco managing director Subarat Ratho, MSEDCL managing director Dr Ajay Bhushan Pandey and Mahagenco managing director Ajay Mehta.

A press release issued informed that unscheduled load-shedding was cut down on August 13, as power demand reduced to 10,853 MW.

However, from August 18, the power demand started increasing and was pegged at 13,669 MW on August 24. This forced MSEDCL to start unscheduled load-shedding all over state.

It has been purchasing 300 to 350 MW power at high rates of Rs 10 per unit from Kawas and Gandhar power plants to reduce load-shedding.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Nagpur/Power_cuts_go_up_by_1_hr/artic...