Hyderabad: A power shutdown on Sunday crippled normal life in 13 districts of the Seemandhra region as the Power Employees’ Joint Action Committee called an indefinite strike since morning to protest against the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. The shutdown led to the closure of ATMs, petrol pump stations and cable operator services besides cancellation of several trains. The strike by 7,500 employees also led to tripping of two major thermal power plants of the Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation resulting in a loss of about 2,500 MW. The State needs about 9,000 MW and the bare minimum generation required for the grid’s stability is 5,500 MW
though finding replacement for skilled technical staff for repairs during the strike period is difficult, we are taking all steps to see that the situation does not affect the grid.” On the other hand, the Telangana Electricity Employees Joint Action Committee said it suspected that a major conspiracy was being hatched to disrupt the Southern grid. “Antisocial elements have entered in the strike in Seemandhra region and had tripped several major sub-stations. The state government is acting hand in glove with these elements by not taking any action against them,” alleged committee convener K Raghu, who is on a 48-hour hunger strike from Monday to expose the conspiracy and alert the central government. Association president Ashok Babu rejected his appeal and said the strike would continue at least till October 20. Late on Sunday evening, the joint action committee relaxed the shutdown for running trains in six districts.
Bureau Report
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