Port Blair, Jan 23: Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, PCC President has invited the attention of the Member of Parliament, A & N Islands towards the existing power supply problem and said that the power shortfall can be taken care of immediately if the two numbers alternators of the defective generator sets at Suryachakra power plant are repaired for which an immediate expenditure of Rs.20 lakhs is required.
Mr. Kuldeep requested the Member of Parliament, considering the future of our students, to consider allocating 20 lakh rupees from MPLAD for the immediate repair of the alternators of the defective generator sets in the interest of the future of our children which is at stake. Or take up the matter with the A & N Administration and also the Central Govt. Parliament without further loss of time since each day spent without power supply is proving costly for our young students.
In his letter addressed to the MP Mr. Kuldeep continued that the general public of A & N islands are suffering badly on account of acute power shortage since a long time. All sections of the society, including business, industries, households, medical centers are awfully affected by scheduled and unscheduled power cuts for long hours day in and day out. The student community is inarguably the worst hit.
Mr. Kuldeep further said that the total power requirement in South Andaman District is 38 MW. Presently, all the power generations put together, including Suryachakra Power plant, are producing 30 MW, leaving a short fall of 8 MW. The Suryachakra power plant can generate additional 10 MW power provided two of its defective alternators are repaired which will cost about 20 lakh rupees. Following the efforts made by Lt. Governor Admiral D.K. Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.) and A& N Administration, the overall power situation is likely to become normal by 31st March this year. If that happens, it will be a big relief for the suffering masses. However, it will be too late for the student community whose examination days are round the corner. March is the month of examinations for all the classes, including the Board exams. This is the time when students have to devote long hours to prepare for exams. Power cuts disrupt their study schedule and thus a bleak future stares them in the face. It will be a gross injustice to our students if the power situation is not improved well in time, allowing them enough time to prepare for exams.
