Ailing Raichur thermal unit worsens City power woes

 
The unit tripped on Sunday night, leading to acute power shortage and consequent power cuts in the City.

Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation (KPTCL) MD Latha Krishna Rao said the unit was already producing about 70 MW of power and would be running to full capacity on Wednesday.

In a grim continuation of power plant failures, the 210-MW second unit of Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS) had a breakdown on Tuesday morning.

Rao said no assessment of the damage or recovery time could be made until the thermal units cooled down.

“But I expect power generation to resume by Thursday,” she said.

The first and second units at RTPS are 25 years old and have been subject to frequent maintenance issues and upkeep, resulting in lower generation of power.

People agonised

It has been agony for the people who have been experiencing power outages either due to maintenance work or just good old shutdown.

A R Krishnaswamy, resident of Banashankari 3rd stage, complained that since Monday there have been incessant power cuts in his area.

“Today (on Tuesday), the power went off at least four to five times. Even now, there is no power,” he said at 9.40 pm.

He lamented that while he had two UPS units, one was already dead and the other would not last long.

He added that all the helplines he had called to complain about the power cut were constantly engaged.

“People should take these politicians to task. There should be an organisation led by some recognised person, which will addresses residents’ power grievances. We feel helpless right now,” he said.

Seema, a resident of Koramangala, expressed her anguish and helplessness at the situation as everything had gone topsy-turvy in her house.

 “We had no power from 10 in the morning to 7 in the evening. We could not prepare food in our household and worse we had no drinking water as the water filter did not work,” she remarked

Echoing her views, Nagaraj from Adugodi, said that he had tried contacting the Bescom officials but in vain.

“There were two numbers given, out of which one was constantly engaged and the other was dead,” he said.