New Delhi, Jul 8 (KNN) In a developing story that highlights the growing tension between industry and infrastructure in Haryana, industrialists across the state are calling for immediate government intervention to address frequent and unscheduled power outages.

The Haryana Chapter of NCR Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) is leading the charge, citing substantial financial losses and operational challenges in key industrial hubs including Gurugram, Faridabad, and Panipat.

According to NCCI President HP Yadav, industries are facing daily power cuts averaging six to eight hours, forcing many to rely on diesel generator (DG) sets. This reliance is not only inflating operational costs but also rendering products less competitive in the market. 

Yadav pointed out that despite government claims of surplus power, the current availability of 13,106 MW falls short of the demand, which reached 14,394 MW in early June - a 23 per cent increase from the previous year.

The situation is particularly dire in Gurugram, where over 3,000 industries depend on what JN Mangla of the Gurgaon Industrial Association describes as "archaic infrastructure." 

Mangla expressed frustration with recurring promises to resolve the power crisis, stating, "Many areas are witnessing prolonged cuts up to eight hours. With monsoon round the corner, issues such as technical snags and faulty transformers further aggravate our problem."

Adding to the industrialists' woes is the seasonal ban on DG sets in the National Capital Region (NCR) by the Commission for Air Quality Management. While industries are urged to switch to natural gas, its availability and distribution remain inadequate. This conundrum has left many businesses, especially small-scale industries, in a precarious position.

In response to these concerns, PC Meena, Managing Director of DHBVN (Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam), acknowledged that recent rains might have caused temporary issues but maintained that these problems have been resolved promptly. 

"There can be some scattered issues with some feeders, but there is no power deficit in any industrial area," Meena stated, adding that the department would look into any major issues faced by industrial areas.

The NCCI has formally addressed these concerns in a letter to Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, emphasising the severe financial strains and operational challenges faced by industries. 

As the situation unfolds, all eyes are on the Haryana government to see how it will address this growing industrial unrest and balance the needs of its burgeoning industrial sector with the limitations of its power infrastructure.

(KNN Bureau)