New Delhi, June 8 (IANS): Delhi Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung Sunday directed the power companies to announce the schedule for power cuts to people in advance and stop electricity supply to malls after 10 p.m.
"Peak load conditions occur in the city between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. and again from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. So, whenever there is less power supply, the power distribution companies will announce a schedule informing people about the timings when electric supply will be cut.
"Discoms are working out a schedule which will be shared with the public. Also power supply to malls will not be available after 10 p.m.," Jung said in a statement.
Besides this, the high mast halogen lamps in the streets which consume more power, will now be switched off during peak hours at night to conserve energy.
Jung reviewed the power situation in a special meeting he called Sunday and ordered adoption of several measures to deal with power shortage.
The meeting was attended by chief secretary, principal secretary (power), senior officers of Delhi Transco Ltd. and chief executive officers of all discoms.
"Government establishments, including Delhi secretariat and other offices, universities, colleges have been advised to switch off air conditioning between 3.30 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. to conserve power. This does not include emergency services and institutions such as hospitals," said the statement.
Discoms have also been asked to strengthen their call centres by increasing the number of lines and deploying additional staff so that there is better communication with the public.
Jung has also appealed to the citizens of Delhi to bear with the situation, as the city is trying to cope with the damage caused to its transmission towers and power lines due to the recent thunderstorms.
He said people should run their air-conditioners at 25 degree Celsius or above and take all measures at home and offices to conserve electricity.
On Saturday, the demand of 5,152 MW was met but as there was an unrestricted peak demand of about 5,600 MW, it resulted in load shedding of around 400 MW during peak hours in several parts of the city.
Hence areas like Uttam Nagar, Dwarka, Ghazipur, Mayur Vihar, Geeta Colony and Daryaganj, among others, were affected.