Ahmedabad: As the country battled its worse power outage ever, the state of Gujarat seemed unaffected. The state has been producing surplus electricity for several years, and has now offered a deal for more power to the national grid in exchange for cheaper petrol.
Amid the darkness a light shines through. As the three grids shut down North Eastern, Eastern and Northern India, Gujarat alone stood proud. For years now, the state has been able to generate surplus electricity, no mean achievement, given the huge power deficit across the country. Gujarat would have in fact generated another 2000 megawatts, but for the shortage of coal to fire its plants.
Saurabh Patel, Energy Minister, Gujarat, says, "Today, Gujarat can give 2000 MW of power to the northern states if the centre gives us support. That is the only short term solution that I see."
For people like Gitaben Nayee in Raayasan village near Gandhinagar, the 24-hour power supply means her family can operate appliances any time....
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07:40 AM, Aug 02, 2012
