Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 26 August 2022
Office of Assistant Engineer, Electricity Department, Katchal has announced eight hour-long load shedding every day w.e.f 26th of August 2022, due to fuel shortage in the Island. The circular regarding load shedding states that the load shedding will be implemented at night from 12:00 Am to 3:00 Am and during the day from 12:00 Pm to 5:00 Pm.
The load shedding will continue until a fresh supply of HSD is received at Katchal.
Sources have informed Nicobar Times that the authorities of the Electricity Department, Katchal and the SRO, Katchal informed the higher authorities regarding the fuel shortage well in advance, but proper arrangements were not made for transportation of an adequate quantity of HSD to Katchal on time.
Mr. Lorenes, representative of Katchal Settlers Welfare Association informed Nicobar Times, that the residents are going to suffer badly due to the prolonged load shedding as most of the Govt. Departments at Katchal do not have power backup. He said the patients are the worst sufferers during power cuts as functional power backup is not available at PHC Katchal.
Mr. Lorenes also informed, that during the load shedding the residents of Katchal will be cut off from the rest of the world as the BSNL Mobile Network will also not function.
Mr. Lorenes added, that after his tweet yesterday regarding the plan of prolonged load shedding there has been some development and the department is likely to reduce the load shedding period to prevent any protests.