Telangana Overcame El Niño Power Challenge, Says Bhatti Vikramarka
Demand surges to 16,500 MW as hydel generation falls amid rainfall deficit
Hanamkonda: Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Wednesday said Telangana's power sector ensured uninterrupted electricity supply despite a sharp rise in demand and reduced hydel generation caused by the El Niño-induced rainfall deficit.
Addressing a review meeting at the headquarters of the Northern Power Distribution Company of Telangana, in Hanamkonda, Bhatti said advance planning and the efforts of power utility personnel enabled the state to meet the challenge.
Ministers Konda Surekha and Ponnam Prabhakar, Warangal West MLA Naini Rajender Reddy, TGNPDCL chairman and MD Varun Reddy and senior officials were present.
Bhatti, who handles the power portfolio, said Telangana normally recorded a peak power demand of around 11,000mw during the monsoon. This year, the demand rose to 16,500mw, while hydel power generation declined by nearly 2,000mw due to inadequate water availability. This increased the burden on the power system.
"Despite these challenges, the state ensured uninterrupted power supply without imposing power cuts anywhere," he said.
The deputy chief minister clarified that Telangana was not facing scheduled power cuts. Temporary disruptions occurred only when heavy rain or strong winds damaged electricity lines and these should not be mistaken for load shedding, he said.
Bhatti said the government had also met the increased demand arising from the operation of major lift irrigation schemes, including Kaleshwaram, Devadula and Sitarama, besides higher use of agricultural borewells due to deficient rainfall.
He announced that the state would soon introduce Electricity Ambulance services. Under the initiative, complaints registered through the 1912 toll-free helpline would be transmitted using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to field staff, enabling specially equipped vehicles carrying transformers and other equipment to reach the site quickly and restore power supply.
The minister said the government was also prioritising the welfare of electricity employees. “Families of personnel who die while on duty are being provided insurance cover of Rs 1.20 crore, while linemen are being equipped with modern safety gear and uniforms.”
Bhatti said the Gruha Jyothi scheme provides free electricity up to 200 units to 5.3 million households, with the government reimbursing distribution companies for the subsidy. The state releases nearly Rs 14,000 crore annually to discoms towards free power for around 3 million agricultural pump sets.
