Date:11/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/11/stories/2008031156320100.htm

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Industries plug into power holiday

R. Sairam

333 MW saved on March 7 alone: Chief Engineer

For both high and low tension consumers
Full compliance in Dindigul distribution circle

MADURAI: Industries in southern districts have well complied with the weekly power holiday schedule, giving the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board a relief.

A meeting of industrialists and Electricity Minister Arcot N. Veerswami held in Chennai on February 29 fixed Friday as the weekly power holiday for the five districts in the Madurai region.

The power holiday, first enforced on March 7, resulted in a relief of 333 MW that day alone, K. Balasubramanian, Chief Engineer (Distribution) of Madurai region, said on Monday.

“Even before this arrangement came into force, industries were asked not to draw power from the grid during the peak hours of 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. every day,” he said.

The power holiday was being enforced for both high and low tension consumers. Essential services such as hospitals, water supply, drainage, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited and airport were exempted.

In the Dindigul distribution circle, of a total of 208 services, 186 were asked to adhere to the power holiday, and there was a full compliance.

In the Sivaganga circle, 46 of 60 services were asked to comply with the directive, and the rate was a whisker short of cent per cent, Mr. Balasubramanian said.

In the Theni and Ramanathapuram circles, compliance levels stood at 90 and 80 per cent.

In the Madurai Metro Circle comprising the Corporation area and a few rural areas, the rate of compliance was 90 per cent. In the Madurai circle that comprises Tiruppalai, Melur, Usilampatti, Tirumangalam, and Samayanallur, the rate was 95 per cent.