Repairs constrict supply, power cuts follow

ANAND OBEROI
GANGTOK, 29 Jan: The capital and other parts of Sikkim have been suffering erratic power supply for the past few weeks. While most parts of Gangtok were without electricity for most part of the day today, load shedding has been around for a while, coming mostly during peak load hours between 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The peak electricity demand for the entire state during winters is recorded at 80 MW per day, but Sikkim is currently receiving barely 50 MW. This shortfall of 30 MW in supply has been cited as the reason necessitating load-shedding by rotation in Sikkim.
Sources at the department inform that the Power Grid Corporation India Ltd has been shutting down the Siliguri-Melli 132 KV transmission line and the Kurseong-Rangit 132 KV transmission line on a continuous basis since 27 January; a procedure which is scheduled to continue till 02 February 2013. This shutdown, it is informed, is being done for emergency stringing of transmission line conductors at a new tower location (No. 194) situated near Kurseong in West Bengal.
With the two transmission lines down, the Eastern Regional Load Dispatch [ERLD], Kolkata, which is the main grid that supplies power to Sikkim, has restricted Sikkim’s net withdrawal to 50 MW [against a peak demand of 80 MW] to avoid tripping of power in grid disturbance. This has necessitated load-shedding during the peak demand hours from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM.    
As for the power cut in Gangtok today, officials explain that this was owing to new maintenance works on the 66 KV double circuit transmission line and bay at Tadong. The maintenance will continue on 30 Jan as well and similar power cut is expected. The power cut has affected New Cantt, Tadong, Syari, Deorali, Pani House, Nam-Nang, MG Marg, Lingding, Bye-Pass and Ghattey, Rumtek on 29 and 30 January.
While consumers will not have complaints against repair-related power cuts, they are unanimous in complaining that these could have been announced more widely and more in advance.