Power supply, demand gap to be bridged in state: CS

Chandigarh: In a proactive action aimed at bridging the widening gap between supply and demand of power during the peak season, the Captain Amarinder Singh-led Punjab Government, as part of its continuous endeavour, has taken up the initiative to enhance the available transfer capability (ATC) and total transfer capability (TTC) by at least 1,500-MW before the onset of next paddy season in the agrarian state.
 
A decision to this effect was taken at a high-level meeting, chaired by the Chief Secretary, Ms Vini Mahajan, here on Tuesday.
 
This will help the state to ensure seamless power supply to the agriculture, industry, and domestic sectors even during the peak load time.
 
Reviewing the current power supply and demand status with the administrative secretaries, the Chief Secretary issued strict instructions to the Power department to enhance the ATC and TTC capacity on priority and ensure seamless power supply to agriculture, industry and domestic sectors as part of the continuous process to further improve the present system in the state.
 
Reiterating the commitment of the Chief Minister that there will be no dearth of funds for the development projects, Ms Mahajan asked the Finance department to ensure the release of funds as per the requirements of the implementing departments.
 
She desired that all the projects should be completed within the stipulated time frame as per the approved specifications to ensure quality.
 
Meanwhile, the Chief Secretary also reviewed the construction of Maharaja Bhupindra Singh Sports University in Patiala; operationalisation of Halwara airport; setting up of medical colleges in Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Sangrur and Mohali; construction of new jail in Goindwal Sahib; construction of 100-bed hospital in Fazilka; state cancer center in Amritsar; Aerotropolis housing project near international airport in Mohali; construction of 20-MGD water treatment plant in Kajauli water works; ongoing work on Shahpurkandi dam project; relining of Rajasthan and Sirhind feeder canals; and other major projects being executed by the departments in different parts of the state in the Public Investment Management Committee.
 
ACS Power Anurag Agarwal, Principal Secretaries Sarvjit Singh (Housing & Urban Development), Vikas Pratap (Public Works), Alok Shekhar (Medical Education and Research), Jaspreet Talwar  (Water Supply and Sanitation), Hussan Lal (Health and Family Welfare), Ajoy Kumar Sinha (Local Government) and Raj Kamal Chaudhary (Sports and Youth Services) attended the meeting.