Power crisis in industrial city
The industrial city has been bearing the brunt of unscheduled power crisis, which is nearly five to six hours a day for more than a week.Highly-placed sources in the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) said that the Board had undertaken maintenance work in several power stations in the State,which relied on wind power.But wind velocity has dropped a bit early this season denying the State around 1000-1,200 MW wind power.Sources said that a 210 MW unit in Mettur Thermal Power Station was out of service for the last two days, which is expected to be back on stream on Tuesday.Moreover, 210 MW units each in Thoothukudi and North Chennai, another two units of 210 MW and a 100 MW unit in Neyveli, a 500 MW unit of NTPC in Ramagundam and a 170 MW unit in Kalpakkam are under maintenance.S V Jagadesan, chairman of Indian Foundryman Association told Express that 30 percent production loss is being experienced by the units.There are around 500 foundries in Coimbatore and the worst hit are those engaged in induction melting."When the metal is ready the power goes off, so we have to continue the process only after the power comes. The exports too have been affected. If we are not able to deliver in time, the casting has to be air-lifted which means two to three fold additional expense for the units. One kilogram of casting costs Rs 70-80 and we have to spend Rs 250 as freight charge for air-lifting,'' he noted. D Balasumdaram, chairman of The Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry termed the situation as bad. The small and micro engineering units which do not own generators are the worst hit, said C Muthusami, president of The Coimbatore District Small Industries Association (Codissia).According to him these units suffer nearly 50 percent production loss.The weaving units in Palladam were among the other industries hit, stated `Hindu Makkal Katchi' office-bearers. The outfit has announced a novel protest on Oct 19 wherein its activists have planned to install hurricane lamps in front of the TNEB office.
