Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Oct 10: Power Company of Karnataka Ltd (PCKL) has permitted to close down operations of Udupi Power Corporation Ltd (UPCL) for annual maintenance and inspection with effect from midnight on October 7. This has put further pressure on the power situation in the state, which is precarious to say the least, at present. The news is particularly ominous for the power consumers of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts, who rely heavily on the power generated by UPCL.

UPCL, which began power generation since June, 2010, had sought permission of PCKL in July this year to suspend its operations for annual maintenance. Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd, under which PCKL functions, had been postponing the permission for different reasons. PCKL managing director, Navinchandra, said that UPCL will shut down its power generation for a month for this purpose.

Mescom expects additional load shedding in coastal Karnataka because of worsening scenario in the power front since today, as this region now has to rely solely on power transmitted from the allocated units from the state and central power grids.

It is said that a deafening sound heard from UPCL premises on the night of October 4 was caused because of the tripping of the UPCL unit. Engineers from China have arrived to conduct annual maintenance and repairs, it is lelarnt. Their work will take not less than 25 days, sources said.