No shortage of power during Games: Dikshit

NEW DELHI - Noting that Delhi will have surplus electricity during the upcoming Commonwealth Games, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit Thursday asked the private power distributing companies to cut down transmission losses so that the tariff need not be raised.

She said reduction in losses will ultimately benefit consumers who may be spared an upward revision of power rates.

At a function to release the Citizens’ Charter for consumers of BSES power distribution companies, Dikshit announced that power generation from 1,500 MW gas-based Bawana Project will commence Oct 1.

Apart from this, electricity from power plants in neighbouring states was also available.

She assured that there was no scarcity of power in the capital and assured that the city government has ensured ample power during the Oct 3-14 Games.

Dikshit said Delhi is a city where electricity systems have become old and there is a need of a change in the way “we look at the things” and stressed the need for changing transformers and the wiring system.

She said people should also learn to conserve power as though the city has surplus power, its growth and continuous inflow of residents will increase the number of consumers.

According to a BSES official, the company has made serious efforts in cutting down transmission losses and plans are there to keep it under 15 percent by the end of the current year.

Dikshit said the Citizens’ Charter is a step forward in the empowerment of consumers as it will make consumers aware of their rights as well as duties.

“The Charter will go a long way in enhancing consumer satisfaction. It is an instrument to have useful feedback from consumers on an important public utility. It is also an excellent model to replicate in all such public services,” she added.

She exhorted the power distributing companies to set a new benchmark in performance, governance, transparency and consumer satisfaction.