Konkan, east Vidarbha free of power cuts

The state electricity distribution utility’s decision to do away with loadshedding in areas with high collection and low distribution losses has put a smile on many faces in the Konkan region and the eastern part of Vidarbha. These areas are now completely free of power cuts.

A revised loadshedding protocol was put in place on May 2 to ensure that consumers from areas with low losses will face fewer power cuts. However, areas with high distribution and commercial losses will see loadshedding being extended up to 16 hours daily.

The Konkan region comprises five divisions, all of which have seen load-shedding being withdrawn by the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MahaVitaran).

Ditto with the 18 divisions in eastern Vidarbha, including Chandrapur, Ballarshah, Bhandara, Sakoli, Alapalli, Gadchiroli and Gondia. However, load-shedding has been withdrawn only in five of the 13 divisions in the Amravati region in Vidarbha.

In western Maharashtra, 30 divisions have been freed of power cuts. But, loadshedding continues in some pockets like Daund, Akluj, Vita, Kawathe Mahankal and Sangli Rural. In Kalyan and Bhandup near Mumbai, except Thane III, which consists of Shil, Kalwa, Mumbra and Palghar, none of the 21 divisions sees any loadshedding.

At Marathwada and Khandesh, which registered high distribution and commercial losses, only three of 18 and 12 of 23 divisions, respectively, have no power cuts.