No relief for Karnataka: After water crisis, state now faces power shortage

After reports of the state encountering an immense water crisis, the latest reports could be the last nail in the coffin. Government sources anticipate that Karnataka may have to brace itself for an acute power crisis.

The reasons for this are broadly two-fold - One, the depleting reservoir levels and two - the scarcity of coal for thermal power stations. The ruling Congress party is in a doldrum now, given the fact that the elections in the state are due. It has, therefore, decided to step up measures to prepare for the power shortage. 

The state now relies on short-term tenders, preferably of nine months, to ensure that there is no power disruption till next September. This has been done with the consultation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and finance department officials.

DK Shivakumar, the power minister of Karnataka said, "We are calling for 1,000-MW short-term tenders. We assure every farmer and industry that there'll be no disruption. The government is still hoping for a good monsoon and this was only a contingency plan. Last year too, we had called for short and medium term tenders. Once we had sufficient water, the medium-term tenders were cancelled," he said.

Talking about the Mekedatu situation, "Although the situation is grim, we've hope as the Centre has allocated us a coal block at 100km from KPCL-owned Godhna Power Station in Chhattisgarh. The Centre has also given us the leeway to use this coal block for any thermal plant we wish. But it will take time to develop." It is to be noted that during peak hours, the acute demand in the state touches 9,000MW.

Meanwhile, the state authorities have made it clear that nothing will stop the controversial Mekedatu hydroelectric project along river Cauvery. Shivakumar said, "There is no question of dropping the project. The project is being opposed by the Tamil Nadu government for political gains. There is no obstruction to the flow of water and neither is there any activity to store water."

In fact, Karnataka has also scaled down the capacity of Mekedatu project from 300 MW to 200 MW, according to a report by the Times of India. Shivakumar further added, "We have also brought down the cost to less than Rs 1,000 crore. This we have done to ensure there's no need to take it to the Centre or the river-sharing tribunals for approvals."

• karnataka
• south