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CM meets Union Power Minister for enhanced electricity supply

2023-08-24

In a bid to address Uttarakhand's electricity challenges, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a meeting with Union Power Minister RK Singh in New Delhi. During the meeting, Singh assured compensation for the damage caused to electricity lines and towers due to the recent rain-triggered disaster in Uttarakhand. The Chief Minister proposed that a comprehensive survey of the affected infrastructure be conducted and the findings shared with the government of India.

Chief Minister Dhami emphasised the need for electricity infrastructure in border areas and proposed setting up electricity lines and power plants to enhance connectivity and access. Responding to this, the Union Minister highlighted plans to establish new norms for electricity provision in border regions.

Dhami highlighted that a significant portion (60 per cent) of Uttarakhand's power availability is sourced from hydro power projects, which experience fluctuations due to seasonal changes. He underscored that power production drops to one-third during winters. To address this, he requested additional power allocation from the central pool, a proposal that received consent from the Union Minister.

Furthermore, Dhami urged the Union government to allocate 400 MW of power from thermal power stations to Uttarakhand. The Chief Minister referenced a recommendation from the technical committee of the central electricity authority that due to the absence of a base load, the state should receive an additional 400 MW from thermal power plants. The Union Minister acknowledged this request, assuring complete support and cooperation from the government.

On the topic of the Kishau dam project, Singh indicated that progress would occur after addressing objections from all concerned states. The meeting also saw the participation of Union Secretary, Power, Pankaj Arora, Uttarakhand Power Secretary R Meenakshi Sundaram, and UPCL Managing Director Anil Kumar.

The dialogue between the Chief Minister and the Union Power Minister reflects a collaborative effort to strengthen Uttarakhand's electricity infrastructure, address seasonal power fluctuations, and enhance energy security in the state.