Bengaluru: Allaying fear heavy load shedding in the state due to short supply of coal, energy minister D K Shivakumar said all arrangements have been made by his department to ensure uninterrupted power supply during the summer.
Releasing an app named “BESCOM MITRA” at a private hotel in the city, the minister said, “the healthy water levels in hydroelectric dams can mitigate the crisis”.
In addition tenders have been called to purchase 1 million tonne coal and purchase 1000 MW power at Rs 4.80 per unit from neighbouring states in emergency situation.
The state at the same time has requested the centre to reduce the transmission looses in the state, which are comparatively high, he added.
Five of the ESCOMS in the state have stood among the top seven in the country for their exemplary performance and when the entire state is making progress, power sector cannot lag behind he said, stressing on performance.
Illegal power connection to farmer pump sets have been regularised by spending Rs 1-1.5 lakhs in each case and the farming community is being trained by the departmental staff in the effective utilisation of power, he stated.
The city of Bengaluru alone has 50% of the state’s 1.4 crore consumers and BESCOM is making all efforts for public benefit by launching new schemes including installation of smart meters and by replacing age old cables.
Investors and companies are coming forward to invest in Industrial sector aiming indirectly at state’s development and the state government is providing basic infrastructure, mainly electricity to augment state’s development, minister Shivakumar explained.
Launching the app “BESCOM MITRA “minister said, the app will help BESCOM in building good relationship with consumers and asked consumers to utilise the benefits by downloading the app in their smart phones.
The app has details of electricity rates, office locations, online billing payment feature, details on utilisation of power, payment history, consumer complaints and of projects underway and all other details vital for consumers and the same can be accessed easily, minister Shivakumar said.
Additional chief secretary P Ravikaumar, Executive Director Rajendra Cholan and other officials from the department were present.
