E-Paper
Power crisis fuels shortage of diesel
Frequent and prolonged power cuts have increased the demand for diesel, required to run generators, leading to shortage of the fuel at various outlets across the city.
Frequent and prolonged power cuts have increased the demand for diesel, required to run generators, leading to shortage of the fuel at various outlets across the city.
Operators say diesel consumption has increased manifold this summer as several areas in the city are witnessing power cuts for as long as 14 hours a day, making residents dependent on alternative power back-ups such as generator or inverters.
On Thursday, many residents were forced to spend sleepless night due to non-availability of diesel at fuel stations.
An outlet of Hindustan Petroleum at Sector 56 had no diesel to cater to its customers. Similarly, fuel stations at Sector 25 and Sector 17 returned many of their customers with empty containers.
Vinod Kumar, manager of a DLF Phase-3 petrol pump, said, “Though we are not facing a shortage but in the last few days, diesel consumption has touched 40,000 litre from 25,000 litre to a day.”
During summer, the requirement of power is 200 lakh units per day, but the district is getting only 140 lakh units.
“Every third day, we are purchasing diesel worth R1.17 lakh. So one can imagine how much extra we are shelling out for power supply through generators,” said Rajesh Sood, secretary, Heritage City Resident Welfare Association.
The discom also admitted shortage of power in the city.
“We are trying to provide 20 hours of power supply but there is a gap between demand and supply,” said Dharam Pal Dhull, chief communication officer, DHBVN.
