Facing the heat over severe power crisis Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has asked the officials to complete the construction work as per time schedule so that quality power could be supplied to small town and villages.
In a meeting with the officials here on Tuesday he said that if construction of new sub-stations or upgrading of lines was not completed within the stipulated time action would be taken against the guilty.
“The Government had taken actions against lethargic officers earlier and would not hesitate to bring the erring officials to book,” Yadav said in that meeting.
Chief Minister was informed that work was in progress to construct 4 power sub-stations of 400 kv, 21 sub-stations of 220 kv and 63 sub-stations of 132 kv. “Construction of these substations will improve power supply in 40 districts,” he said.
Meanwhile, with mercury touching 43 degree Celsius mark half of the state is reeling under acute power crisis with several cities resorting to power cuts between 10 and 16 hours on daily basis. Against the demand of around 13000 megawatt, the UP Power Corporation limited (UPPCl) was able to provide just around 10,000 megawatt of power in the state leading to major rostering in the cities and rural areas.
The crisis has started power riots in parts of the state. In Bahraich people blocked the Mihipurwa-Nanpara road where people are deprived of electricity because of faulty transform for last two days. In Gorakhpur, people staged protest at Goleghar as the city is reeling under load-shedding of over 14 hours for the last two days.
The state was earlier facing a shortage of 2000 megawatt, but with the summer this shortage has reached 3000 megawatt. Against the all time demand of 13,000 megawatt in the summer season, the state-run thermal units are generating around 3000 mw and the state is getting additional 2000 MW from the private thermal plants. The state imports 5000 mw electricity still there is a shortage of 3000 MW.
Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said the crisis would be resolved by 2016. He had claimed that cities will get 20-22 hour electricity while the villages will get 18-20 hour electricity.
Meanwhile, BJP will stage statewide agitation on May 28 and 29 against truant power. The protest will be held at the district headquarters, BJP spokesman Vijay bahadur Pathak said.