Hyderabad:There will be no relief from the crippling power shortage in Andhra Pradesh, that is endangering the southern power grid, after two rounds of prolonged talks between the Seemandhra Electricity Employees JAC (SEEJAC) and Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy failed on Tuesday. Experts estimated the loss from three powerless days at Rs 6,000 crore.
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After the second round of talks failed, SEEJAC leader Saibabu told reporters, “The Chief Minister requested us to call off the indefinite strike but we refused. We will not exempt even emergency services from the strike.” About 30,000 employees of Transco, Genco and discoms are on strike.
Electricity department sources said officials were “managing” with the shortfall of nearly 4,000 MW. “There is no problem to the grid as of now. We will see that it doesn’t collapse,” a top department official said.
The ongoing strike, which will enter its fourth day on Wednesday, has brought activity across the state to a complete standstill. While the railways managed to run trains with diesel engines, hospitals and essential services like drinking water supply remained without power.
