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Unending chasm between power
demand, supply
There is such a tremendous power demand-supply gap in the country, government seems to be not doing enough to plug this fissure. This is evident from the last two Five Year Plans. During the 10th Plan period, India added 21,180 MW power against a target of 34,000 MW. Similarly, during the 11th Plan, the original plan was envisaged to add 78,000 MW power which was later revised to a realistic 62,000 MW. But the actual achievement remained about 54,964 MW. The union ministry of power plans to have an additional power generation capacity of 76,000 MW during the 12th Plan (April 2012 to March 2017). It is crystal clear that the targets have been marked only by failure. To match the growing demand supply gap, the country needs about Rs 10,31,600 crore to add more than 70,000 MW of generation capacity besides creating and upgrading transmission and distribution systems. However, the sector would have a shortfall of Rs 4,51,607 crore as per the report of the working group on power. Before saying whether there would be power cuts in 2017 at the end of the 12th Plan, we should analyse whether it is possible to achieve it. Besides planning for generation, there needs to be a proper planning for transmission and distribution. There are rules under which various electricity utilities in the country can draw more power than has been allocated to them. Strict grid discipline should be ensured. All the five Regional Load Despatch Centres across the country, managing the regional grids should have the power to completely disconnect those states that are overdrawing from the grid so that other states do not suffer as happened on Monday and Tuesday. SK KHOSLA, Chandigarh
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II We must learn from the honest Koreans to manage our infrastructure without giving any excuse (editorial ‘When the grid collapses’ (Tribune, July 31). There is no incidence of electricity theft in Seoul as in India. The user pay principle is being followed with honesty of purpose without which no infrastructural facility can be made efficient, sufficient and equitable. Let us accept the reality that the demand will continue increasing and we have to match it up with supply by all means including alternative sources of energy most notably solar energy. Noiseless environmental friendly generators with sufficient capacity should also be installed. Dr MM Goel, Kurukshetra III We must reduce our over-dependence on electric power. We also need to find alternatives to nuclear energy, hydel power and thermal power all of which are a source of dispute for one or the other reason. All the developed nations which were pioneers of nuclear energy production are reducing their dependence on it while we are going after it. Apprehending the risk factors involved, the general public is protesting against the nuclear power plants which in case of accidents can badly affect not only the present but future generations as well by damaging the DNA. Solar energy is a safe, clean and easy source of energy. At the same time this option will help in case of blackouts. SURINDER KUMAR JINDAL, Samana Cricket ties? TV Rajeswar has rightly lambasted the government and BCCI for giving a go-ahead to resumption of cricket ties with Pakistan in his article “Should India play cricket with Pak?” (July 30). First the government restarted the dialogue with Pakistan inspite of no action against the perpetrators of 26/11 Mumbai attack by Pakistan and now, there is talk of cricket matches. How long will India continue to go soft on Pakistan? If tomorrow another major terrorist attack takes place, the government will restart the same chain of reaction as after 26/11. It is high time India stood firm and stop all talk of trade, visits and sports unless Pakistan shows some response towards our concerns. HS SANDHU, Panchkula II There is no doubt that Pakistan will not take action against the guilty of 26/11. In view of this deceptive attitude of Pakistan, India, on its part, must take decision forthwith and put all security measures in place. BCCI should review its decision on resuming cricketing ties with Pakistan as the possibility of the militants mingling with Pakistani fans for getting visa cannot be ruled out. It is also shocking to know that the number of Pakistani nationals over-staying in India is over 7,500. Their character and antecedents must be verified by the concerned FRO (Foreigner Registration Officer), send to the MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) and action may be taken by MHA accordingly without wasting time. Each and every thing related to Pakistan needs to be undertaken seriously and there must be no space for lapse. SANDEEP NAIN, Karnal
Train tragedies
The Tamil Nadu Express rail tragedy was a horrific accident in which over 32 persons were charred to death. Passengers did not get time to escape while they were asleep. Such tragedies happen mostly in the ordinary trains and ordinary bogies. Very seldom do such big mishaps occur in trains like Rajdhani or the Taj Express. It is a clear case of negligence and overlooking the safety of ordinary people. Is the life of poor passengers less important? Railways Minister Mukul Roy is more interested in Kolkata rather than attending his office in Delhi. Safety measures in the railways seems to be the lowest in priority. People are thrown out of moving trains, some are even beaten to death. Rapes and hooliganism have become common in trains. The insensitivity of the railways is condemnable. MUKT KANTH SHARMA,
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