Faced with the growing power crisis, the Delhi government has issued guidelines directing commercial and residential consumers to cut down electricity consumption during peak hours.
Government offices in the capital have been directed not to use their air conditioners after 6.30 pm, while shops and business establishments will have to shut down before 7.30 pm as per the new guidelines issued by the Power Ministry.
The city has been reeling under severe power crisis for the last few days because of shortfall in supply due to "over-drawing from the northern grid by neighbouring states", resulting in rotational load-shedding in several areas.
Industrial units have been barred from functioning between 6.30 pm and 11 pm and shops across the city will have to remain closed for a day in a week apart from the normal market holidays.
Advertisement hoardings will not be allowed to draw power for illumination, Electricity Minister Haroon Yusuf said after a meeting to review the power situation in the city.
"We are appealing to the citizens of Delhi not to use air conditioners before 9 pm. All these efforts would lead to conservation of 250-300 MW of power. Presently, the city is facing a shortage of 400 MW," he said.
He said that Himachal Pradesh had agreed to provide 200 MW of power from next week in addition to the 190 MW already supplied by the state.
{{/usCountry}}He said that Himachal Pradesh had agreed to provide 200 MW of power from next week in addition to the 190 MW already supplied by the state.
{{/usCountry}}The Dadri plant will start functioning from May 15 and will generate 210 MW of power.