From Bajaj Auto at Pantnagar to IPCA Laboratories at Selaquie Industrial Area in Dehra Dun, industrial production has been hit badly owing to worsening power scenario in Uttarakhand.
Most top companies have reported 15 to 20 per cent production loss owing to power shortage. Ancillaries of some top companies like Tata Motors and Hero Honda are also facing the heat of outages creating shortfall of supplies.
Some of these companies have also written strong-worded letters to the Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL), the sole power distribution agency in the hill state, expressing resentment over the erratic power supply.
The power scenario in Uttarakhand is worsening thanks to growing demand and falling production.
With over 100-200 industries getting into production during the past three months, the power demand from the industrial sector has grown by another 20-30 per cent this year, putting extra burden on the UPCL.
With power tariffs also going up from April 1, there had been stinging criticism of the state government in the wake of acute power shortage that has also hit the industries. Unable to meet the demand, the UPCL is resorting to 3 to 10 hours power cut in the hill state. Industrial production in the state is also being hit by the power cuts, say leading industrial chambers.
Concerned over the growing power shortage, a worried Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has sought from the Centre an additional 150 Mw power. In addition to this, the CM has also demanded that 80 Mw of power which is being provided for the ‘mahakumbh’ mela should also continue for the ‘Chardham’ pilgrimage, which is commencing next month.
UPCL is currently facing 9 to 12 million units of power shortage after the steep fall in the power generation of Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (UJVNL). The power generation of UJVNL fell to 5-6 million units, which is the lowest this season owing to falling discharge in major rivers like the Yamuna and the Ganga.