Express News Service Posted online: Saturday, May 06, 2006 at 1040 hours IST
New Delhi, May 6: With the power crisis threatening to spin out of control, the Delhi Government on Friday ordered all shops and commercial establishments to close down by 7:30 pm, and also to take a compulsory one-day off weekly.
The directive also restricts the use of air conditioners in government offices after 6:30 pm. Industrial units have also been told to suspend one work shift.
Announcing the series of steps to conserve power, Haroon Yusuf, the Power and Transport Minister, said: ‘‘The order comes into force from May 6. It will be in force till July 15, but could be revoked if the power situation improves.’’ These decisions — expected to conserve about 350 MW of power — were taken at a meeting of the high-powered Subhash Chopra Committee on Friday, chaired by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. The committee was formed last year to look at ways of overcoming the power crisis.
The order to shut shops by 7:30 pm will not apply to chemists, clinics and eateries. However, all markets will have to compulsorily close one day of the week.
Industrial units have been told to suspend the second shift, which operates from 6 pm to midnight. Discoms have been asked to suspend power supply to these units during this time.
‘‘However, these units have been promised a 10-hour uninterrupted power supply everyday,’’ said Yusuf. The government has also asked the Discoms not to supply power to commercial neon signs.
‘‘We will also appeal to residents to only use their air conditioners after 9 pm. We want them to act as responsible citizens,’’ added Yusuf.
The power companies have also been asked to put extra lines to ensure uninterrupted supply to water treatment plants and pumping stations. The labour department has been given the responsibility of ensuring compliance of the government order, under the Delhi Electricity Control Order of 1959.
Meanwhile, there is hope of some relief as Himachal Pradesh has agreed to supply an additional 200 MW from next week.
Today
Demand up
Officially, Transco claimed load shedding was down from 396 MW yesterday to 356 MW today, but unofficial sources said it was much higher — around 600 MW. The peak demand also reportedly touched 3,000 MW, but Transco pegged it at 2,976 MW.
Areas affected: Among other areas, East of Kailash and Amar Colony saw power cuts for six hours today. Pusa Road remained powerless for five hours.
Tomorrow
No relief
Shortages, load-shedding and blackouts will continue. ‘‘The decision to close shops by 7:30 pm would be of great benefit though,’’ said the Transco spokesperson.
