Suresh Chanda to ensure 7-hr power supply to ryots

Hyderabad: In order to overcome the major challenge of bridging the demand-supply gap that arose due to the unprecedented rise in demand for power and severe shortage of fuels like coal and natural gas, AP power utilities have decided to strive hard to complete the ongoing Trans- mission and Distribution (T&D) projects as per the time schedules with Effective Project Management (EPM). In addition to this, programmes like Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (R-APDRP), power utilities will focus on extending quality power supply to consumers with more accountability and on speedy redressal of consumer grievances by strengthening the existing sub-division wise consumer care centres with suitable IT initiatives. While assuming charge as Chairman and Managing Director of APTransco and Chairman of Andhra Pradesh Power Coordination Committee (APPCC) on Friday, Suresh Chanda, a senior IAS officer of 1985 batch, emphasised that the initiatives already taken up for speedy completion of the ongoing and planned projects for evacuation of power from the ongoing projects, will be implemented more vigorously. Chanda reviewed various ongoing power schemes of State and Central Governments and directed the officials to prioritise the objectives such as strict adherence to grid discipline, reduction of transmission and distribution losses from existing 17.4 per cent, better consumer service through latest IT initiatives, effective utilisation of financial resources and completion of all projects in a time-bound manner. Immediately after assuming the charge, the CMD has stressed the need to build up a strong case for the government with all the facts and figures, in the meeting of the empowered group of ministers (EGoM), Government of India, to be held at New Delhi on July 10, for allocation of natural gas to the state power projects on equal priority with the fertiliser units, in view of the severe shortage of power due to unprecedented fuel crisis. Keeping in view the high-level meeting scheduled for July 8, before the Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, the CMD told officials to prepare a detailed report on present power supply position, status of ongoing power projects, etc and to ensure 7-hour power supply to agriculture sector as per the policy of the government.