24-hour power in Maharashtra by Dec 31, says CM

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan on Sunday reiterated that the state would be free of load-shedding by December 31. However, he said Maharashtra would have to face difficult times due to scarcity of coal and lack of gas, adding that, for 24-hour electricity, citizens may have to pay more as the state will have to depend on traded power.

Speaking to mediapersons, Chavan said: “There is scarcity of coal and coal rates have gone up three times in the international market. Whatever coal the state receives is wet as flood waters had entered into it.”

Pointing to the lack of gas supply, he said that the 1,400MW-capacity Dabhol power plant could not be used to its fullest as there was lack of gas supply. He also said water from Jaikwadi was not supplied to Parli thermal power plant and, therefore, it may have to be shut down in the next two-three months. The state was mulling over supplying water by train to Parli, Chavan added.

While assuring that pending power projects would be completed, the chief minister said: “If there is shortfall of electricity, traded power would be taken. If people are ready to spend more for 24 hour electricity, traded power will be supplied as much as they want, but the power rates would be hiked.”