Exams or not, Bescom shuts off power

Exams or not, Bescom shuts off power
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bangalore: Just a day ahead of the crucial SSLC examinations, erratic power supply across the city had students and parents fuming in Bangalore. This was apart from the regular load-shedding.
Enraged residents in several areas stated that they were suffering 6 to 8 hours of power cut for the past two days. Chandrashekhar, from Indiranagar 80 Feet Road, said that on Wednesday, there was no power from 10.30 am till 5 pm. “The day after elections, the government resumed power cuts. With crucial examinations underway, it is unfair. How will students study?’’ he asked.
Residents of Koramangala 5th Block complained that they had no power for nearly eight hours on Tuesday. Residents of Kathriguppe, near Banashankari, also said power supply was intermittent. Worse, no official from Bescom was available on phone to offer any help in the area.
H R Rao, a resident of Thyagarajanagar, said the area went without power for over five hours. “With just a day to go for SSLC exams, power supply is a major worry.’’
Meanwhile, the CM’s office stated that it is the responsibility of the Escoms to ensure power supply during the exam season.
Asked about it, Bescom MD Tushar Girinath said: “Of course, it is the responsibility of the power supply companies. We are having the regular two-hour power cuts in residential areas. In fact, those living in rural areas should complain because the power cuts are more there,’’ was his justification.
Asked how he would ensure power supply through the exam season, and he said: “We will ensure power distribution through various means. But if power generation fails, we can’t do much. I cannot have buffer generation as beyond a point, it is not possible. There is a shortfall of nearly 700 MW in the state as of now, and Bescom’s share in that loss is about 315 MW. It is difficult to manage if there is a shortage and we have no choice but to resort to power cuts till generation improves,’’ he added.