Power Supply To Durga Temple Snapped Over Dues, Restored After Talks
In the interim, temple authorities made alternative arrangements by deploying generators to ensure uninterrupted power supply and avoid inconvenience to devotees or disruption of temple rituals..
Vijayawada: Power supply to the Sri Durga Malleswar Swamy Varla Devasthanam atop Indrakeeladri hill was temporarily disconnected and later restored by the AP Central Power Distribution Corporation Limited (APCPDCL) here on Friday.
According to APCPDCL officials, the temple authorities had failed to clear electricity bill dues since February 2003 despite several notices. As a result, power supply through the high-tension line was disconnected.
In the interim, temple authorities made alternative arrangements by deploying generators to ensure uninterrupted power supply and avoid inconvenience to devotees or disruption of temple rituals.
Temple officials said the shrine operates a solar power plant at Pamula Kaluva in Apparaopeta, generating 24 MW of power daily and supplying it to the AP Electricity Board. In return, they said, the power authorities were providing free electricity for 10 temple services.
Following discussions between temple and power department officials, power supply to the temple was restored later in the day.
Meanwhile, endowments minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy intervened and spoke to energy minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar, assuring efforts to clear the pending power dues of the temple. Subsequently, the endowments minister, commissioner Rama Chandra Mohan and temple executive officer V.K. Seena Nayak initiated steps to resolve the issue.
Temple EO Seena Nayak said the solar power plant, established at a cost of ₹5.50 crore, has been facing technical issues with the AP Electricity Board since 2022. He announced that a cheque for ₹2.65 crore was being released on behalf of the temple to clear outstanding dues and assured that steps would be taken to permanently resolve the issue in coordination with the power authorities.
