Delhi a step closer to banishing blackouts

Delhi may not see a repeat of the 10-hour grid collapse last year, which had paralysed the Metro, plunged the city in darkness and even hit water supply, airport, hospitals and other essential services. Neelam Pandey reports.

Delhi may not see a repeat of the 10-hour grid collapse last year, which had paralysed the Metro, plunged the city in darkness and even hit water supply, airport, hospitals and other essential services.

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The Delhi Transco Limited has put an 'Islanding' system in place. In case of a grid failure, the city will cut-off itself from the Northern Grid of which it is a part, and make do with the electricity that the NCR generates. The cost of the project is Rs 30 crore.

So while Punjab, UP, Haryana, Rajasthan and J&K may reel from power cuts, the Capital will continue to sparkle.

Four independent islands have been created by Transco so that if one system fails, the rest of the city will continue to get electricity.

South Mumbai has this system in place, for instance. In case of a collapse of the western grid of which Mumbai is a part, south Mumbai is able to cut itself off.

Delhi's power plants, along with ones at Dadri and Jhajjar, will generate 4,163 MW and will ensure supply of 3,435 MW once the islanding system starts. Delhi uses 4,500-5,000 MW every day.

The system is now in place and will be used for major grid failure only. "We have installed all vital equipment which will isolate Delhi from rest of the system," said Shakti Sinha, power secretary Delhi.