The silt in hydro power stations is causing a decline is power production in the state and the Uttarakhand Power Corporation limited (UPCl) is forced to buy additional power to meet the demand. On Sunday, the production in the state was 17.58 million units (MU) as compared to a demand of 33.31 MU.
The worst affected power plants are Kalagarh (198 MW), Kulhal (30 MW) and Khatima (10 MW) which are producing no power. Maneri Bhali Phase II is producing only 125 MW power against a capacity of 304 MW while the Maneri Bhali phase I is producing 60 MW against a capacity of 90 MW. The Golgi, Cheela, Pathari, Dhakrani, Dholipur, Cheebro and Khodri are the other power stations which are producing power much below their potential. The Public Relation Officer of UPCl Madhusudan said that silting is a normal process during this time of the year. He said that the UPCl is purchasing power so that the common people are not affected.
The non continuous industry of SIDCUl Haridwar, Roorkee, Manglaur, laksar, Jwalapur and Rishikesh faced a power cut of 1.30 hour on Monday due to diminished production of the hydro power stations and high demand on the northern grid.