Gangotri town to get full power supply soon

UTTARKASHI: With the Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) extending its main grid line to the town, Gangotri will get full-fledged power supply after a 12-year struggle.
The department has also distributed forms to the people for getting electricity connection. Power supply will start as soon as documentation and meter installation process is completed.

“From 2005, Gangotri temple and locals were getting its power supply from Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (UREDA). However, it was not sufficient for the town as it is also a popular tourist destination,” said Suresh Semwal, secretary Gangotri Mandir Samiti.
UREDA on an average gives 170 Kilowatt of electricity per day but that is not enough to operate geezers, heaters and other heavy appliances. Things get difficult during the rainy season as power generation is low around this time. The grid line has now reached the town and the temple committee has registered its connection.
A shopkeeper, Naresh Semwal, said, “We stay in the area for six months and most of the time it gets bone-chilling cold. Tourists prefer staying in Harsil and Uttarkashi for better electricity facilities, thus affecting our business. It becomes difficult for us in providing warm water and other electricity-related facilities to the tourists. We have been asked to avoid using geezers and heaters due to overloading. Streetlights and lighting in the lodges also gets affected, leaving the entire town in darkness.”

He added that the grid line will also reduce the bills, as everyone will pay the commercial rate for UREDA.
Sub-divisional officer of UPCL, R L Raturi, said, “We have already distributed forms to the people for getting their connections. We will install meters and start supply soon.” Abhyudaya Kotnala

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes