BackAssam faces acute power crisis
Assam faces acute power crisis
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Guwahati: A drought like situation leading to poor hydro-power generation and a weak distribution network have led to Assam facing the worst ever power crisis prompting the government to approach neighbouring states as well as the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan for power supply.
Already facing a shortage crisis, the problem has been compounded with a prolonged dry spell.
Chief minister Tarun Gogoi in an SOS to the centre recently requested for immediate allocation of 400 MW power from ONGC’s Tripura based gas project, and also some power from the Tala and Kiruchu hydro electric projects of Bhutan to Assam.
Charging the public sector ONGC and OIL for failing to supply committed gas for power generation in Assam, Gogoi said as a result of that generation in the Namrup thermal power station (TPS) and Lakwa TPS as well as the Kthalguri TPS of North East Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) have suffered badly.
The chief minister has also called for adequate investment in the power distribution segment as there are large gaps in the network in major towns.
Assam power minister Pradyut Bordoloi says that the unprecented power crisis is due to over dependence on thermal projects some of them have become obsolete.
To improve the situation the Assam State Electricity Board (ASEB) has been divided into separate companies for generation, transmission and distribution, he said.
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