Agartala, Aug 04 (TIWN): Power crisis in the state has worsened along with the boosting demand of power as two power generation units at Rukhia are yet to put on operation, official sources confirmed.

Two power units at Rukhia are still placed under shut down due to technical fault and BHEL engineers are trying hard to resume power generation from two units, said an official of TSECL.

Even as Barmura thermal power project is functional, it could not generate power, at par with the installed capacity. The Barmura power project is supposed to produce 42 MW power but now it is generating only 35 leading to shortage of power.

However, Palatana is producing 340/350 MW power which is expected level taking into consideration of its installed capacity. As of now the Palatana power project will remain in operation keeping in mind of the power shortage in the entire Northeast region.

The North East Regional Power Committee (NERPC) has given permission to shut down first unit of Palatana power project to undertake ‘routine’ checking. But, NERPC is yet to give positive signal as the power situation in the entire region is grim. It means Palatana power will remain on operational until the overall power situation improves in the Northeast region. The second unit of Palatana power plant is expected to be operational by September with gas pipe laying works is in full swing.

In the state, the overall power deficit stands at 67 MW power from Central Pool and the state’s own production reduced to only 63 MW due to shut down of two units at Rukhia for the past few days. According to sources, it will take a few more days to put two power units at Rukhia on operation.

Hence, there is no other option than power cut to augment the power shortage across the state. According to the existing schedule, power supply is suspended for one and half hours in a day.  The unannounced load shedding in addition to the scheduled power cut has caused severe inconvenience. However, reports from sub division claims power situation is still grim with people experiencing two hour load shedding marking their life miserable and sweltering heat.