Guwahati, 7th September: As Assam grapples with a severe power crisis, the state government is expected to unveil schedules for load-shedding in different towns. Reports indicate that rather than increasing electricity tariffs, the government will focus on implementing load-shedding timings, which could be announced in the coming days.
The scorching heatwave conditions in the state have led to widespread frustration among citizens due to frequent power outages and rising electricity costs. Some residents have even taken to the streets in protest against these issues, as the high temperatures have made life extremely uncomfortable.
Assam’s Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, has acknowledged the situation and mentioned that load shedding is being closely monitored. He explained that this year, the state requires 2,500 Megawatts (MW) of electricity, compared to 1,800 MW in previous years.
Sarma noted that the possibility of increasing electricity tariffs arises from the need to purchase more power to meet demand. However, he assured that the government has already secured agreements with various companies to increase power capacity for uninterrupted supply in the future.
The chief minister emphasized that if residents seek continuous 24/7 power supply, tariff adjustments may be necessary to address the power shortage.
Despite the rising temperatures and concerns over tariff hikes, many residents are still facing persistent power cuts, amplifying the challenges posed by the hot weather.