Thane, Vashi now have the power, but for a price

The spectre of daily power cuts no longer looms over the residents of Thane and Vashi. Thanks to the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited’s (MSEDCL) new plan, both areas have been getting uninterrupted power for the past few days.

The MSEDCL plans to do away with the load-shedding of nearly three hours in Bhandup, Thane, Mulund, Vashi, Nerul and Panvel. However, this respite comes at a heavy price as consumers will have to pay through their nose for the purchase of additional power.

For instance, to end load-shedding in the Thane circle, around 27.60 million units of additional power is needed per month which will cost around Rs28  crore. Navi Mumbai needs 39.5 million units per month, which will cost Rs30.19 crore.

This will result in a run-up in the electricity bills of consumers. Thaneites will have to pay an additional Rs1.58 per unit while Navi Mumbai residents will have to shell out Rs1.42 per unit.

Pratap Hogade of the Janata Dal claimed that the general consumers will bear the brunt of the new plan. “The power purchase plan is for 14 months, from May 2008 to June 2009. However, there is no shortfall of power in July, August and September. So consumers will benefit only for 11 months but will have to pay the extra amount till the stipulated date.”

“Consumers consuming power below 100 units have been exempted from the burden of additional charges. We have, however, demanded to extend this limit to 300 units.”
MERC chairman Pramod Dev said, “If MSEDCL is following the protocol laid down by the commission for load-shedding and the slabs are being followed, then there is no need to seek permission for the withdrawal of load-shedding. Distribution of equitable power is MSEDCL’s responsibility.”

MSEDCL sources, however, claimed that their plan of doing away with load-shedding would depend on the availability of additional energy.