The perennial power crises that have been gripping the State seem to be a problem of choice by Jharkhand State Electricity Board (JSEB). The board seem to have failed to deliver even what it gets primarily because it hangs on dilapidated (transmission) wires!
On the backdrop of Saturday’s blackout many respondents contended that the JSEB had failed in providing uninterrupted power because of outdated and dilapidated transmission network of wires that it banked upon.
“Accumulating power from various sources is not an issue for JSEB. They can have it from many sources. But they have not proper transmission lines and hence the power gets wasted. The situation is like rations being stored at storages for want of transportation and people suffering for no fault of theirs,” said President of Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce & Industries (FJCCI), Ranjeet Tibrewal. He also said that the JSEB had been indifferent in maintaining a viable transmission network.
On a normal working day average electricity demand in the State is around 1000MW. The JSEB — despite having power stations that have outlived themselves – is able to collect around 1020MW.
There are three major sources of power supply to the JSEB besides the Damodar Valley Corporation’s shares. The majority comes from the central government (500 MW) followed by two ‘expired’ power stations. Tenughat Vidyut Nigam ltd (TVNl) offers 380-400 MW and Patratu Power Station limited 130-140. Also JSEB receives 60MW power from Adhunik power plant.
Even the lower limits of supplies from these sources add up to 1070MW against a peak demand of 1000MW. The accumulation of power to JSEB is surplus but the supply is deficient! So deficient that State has been force into frequent load shedding and has been pushed even in to blackouts.
The contention of FJCCI people becomes relevant and gets substantiated when one visits in locality in Ranchi. Many electricity poles are hanging in air hold by the wire they are supposed to carry!
An official of TVNl said that the plant (TVNl) was ready for capacity production (2*210MW). “But even on Monday we have blocked production because there is no evacuation from JSEB. We cannot store power. JSEB has poor transmission lines. But I cannot comment more as this is JSEB’s responsibility,” said a TVNl official.
However, JSEB PRO PK Srivastava said that “It was all okay with the transmission lines.” and assured that “there would not be such power failure in future.”On Saturday eight districts Including Ranchi Simdega, Khunti, Gumla, lohardagga, latehar, Palamu and Garhwa suffered day long blackout.
This happened owing to rupturing of Namkom- Hatia 220KV transmission line. The rupturing and the consequent jerks (also safety reasons) led to shut down of PTPS and TVNl. Efforts to restore power supply stretched till Monday.