Jharkhand gets 15 MW from Grid, train services hit

The collapse of the eastern grid disrupted normal life in Jharkhand, which witnessed power failure in several parts of the state and delay in train services on Tuesday.

The 509 Down Howrah-Banaras Express was stranded at Rohini station in Deogarh district, while the Ispat Express and Santragachi Express were detained on Chakradharpur-Howrah route from 1.30 pm, sources in the Chakradharpur Railway Division said.

DVC's Chief Engineer (Chandrapura unit) R Basuri said several units had been hit in the wake of the failure of the North-East Grid section, resulting in power breakdown in many
parts of Jharkhand and neighbouring West Bengal.

Mezia Thermal Power, Durgapur Thermal Power, Bokaro Thermal Power and Maithon Hydel Power units are under the DVC, he said.

However, efforts were on to restore power in some areas as the state finally secured 15 MW from the Power Grid.

"Power Grid has given us 15 MW, and we are trying to generate power through our two units -- Tenughat Vidyoot Nigam Limited and Patratu Thermal Power Station," said Jharkhand State Electricity Board spokesman P K Srivastav.

"We hope to restore supply of power in some sections through these two units within the next two hours," he said.

Power supply in state capital Ranchi has been restored after Power Grid Corporation of India Limited provided 175 MW to the JSEB, Srivastav said.

"While power in the capital city has been restored, we have given electricity to Jamshedpur and Ranchi railway stations so that train services can resume," Srivastav said.

One unit of Patratu Thermal Power Station has been lighted up, he said, adding another unit of Tenughat Vidyoot Nigam Limited would also be lit up shortly.

The Dhanbad-Asansol Express and Barbil-Howrah Express have been cancelled in Dhanbad and Chakradharpur Rail Divisions respectively, according to railway sources.

New Delhi-Howrah Duronto Express is stranded in Dhanbad railway station while New Delhi-Howrah Purva Express has been detained at Chichaki in Dhanbad district, the sources said.

Following the Eastern Grid failure, there was no power supply in Palamau, Bokaro, Lohardga, Khunti, Dumka, Jamtara since morning and parts of Ranchi, Jamshedpur and other districts, resulting in collapse in power supply in several hospitals, banks, government offices and other essential work places across the state, according to reports.