Chandigarh: Punjab continues to reel under severe power shortage for the past one-and-half month due to the failure of winter rains and consequent fall in generation of hydro power.

With the demand for power outstripping supply by 150-200 lakh units per day, all the sectors -- rural, urban and particularly industrial -- have been adversely affected.

The Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) had been forced to impose power cuts ranging between 6-10 hours in rural and urban areas.

According to PSEB officials, the demand for power in the state this winter has reached 950-1000 lakh units per day but the PSEB could supply just 800 lakh units per day.

Besides dry weather conditions and low generation, the non-completion of second phase of Lehra Mohabbat thermal plant of 500 MW has also compounded the power woes.

"Had this project been completed in the stipulated time, the power situation could have been better," pointed out an official of PSEB. They added the increase in demand from agricultural sector also widened the gap between demand and supply.

Hit hard by the power shortage, industry was angry with the state government and said it was affecting growth.

"We are already suffering on account of rupee appreciation and spiralling steel prices and now the power shortage has turned to be the last nail in our coffin," said Charanjit Singh, a bicycle exporter.

The power shortage has also hit agriculturists hard. "We were advised by experts to lightly irrigate our crops to neutralise the impact of frost. But we could not do so because of long power cuts imposed by the board, which has resulted in damage to them," said a potato grower.

Source : PTI