Frequent outages irk power consumers across Jharkhand

Ranchi: Domestic, industrial and commercial consumers on Wednesday complained in unison that frequent, unannounced and long-hour power cuts by Jharkhand Bijli Vitaran Nigam Ltd (JBVNL) have disrupted normal life, halted manufacturing and shaken investor confidence in the state.The discontent was voiced at the first state advisory panel meet for the 2022-23 organised by Jharkhand State Electricity Regulatory Commission(JSERC).

"Power outages, on an average, range from five to seven hours each day. Besides, industries are forced to face frequent power tripping every day. These frequent power cuts have been causing widespread damages to power installations at various industrial units," Jharkhand Small Industries Association president Anjay Pacheriwala stated. At Nagri, on the outskirts of Ranch, more than 50 industrial units are on the verge of closure. Hemlata Oraon, of Murto village under Chanho police station in Ranchi, said the situation in rural areas is far worse. “In my village, we barely get power for 4 to 5 hours a day. No one at JBVNL listens to us.”JSERC chairman Justice Amitav Kumar Gupta directed that all such cases be referred to the appropriate power forum for redressal."In Dhanbad, existing power infrastructure has not been upgraded with increasing power demand leading to all types of industries facing frequent power outages throughout the day," said Kailash Goyel, genewrak secretary, Dhanbad Flour Mills Association.However, JBVNL MD K K Verma pointed out that the power discom was ensuring at least 20 hours of power supplies each day, particularly in urban areas and that efforts were already underway to ensure regular power supply in rural areas as well.