DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.22468#0083
March 1, 1959
Three
DARJEELING SHORT OF POWER DURING WINTER
Girl Outwits Darjeeling Chemist
r
(From Our Special Beprumlalipe)
Darjeeling, February 25
At no time during
the year does Darjeeling'*
electric supply generate
such low voltage as du-
ring th« winter. This
year the voltage has ge-
nerally tended to keep so
low that consumers have
become almost desperate.
Radios do not work, flu-
rosoent lights emit sparks
like lightening before
subsiding completely, hea-
ters give out luke warm
heat.
Darjeeling had almost
freezing weather all
through last week. 1 bis
resulted in consumers
using more eleotricity ar.d
the load capaoity reached
a maximum of 1900 k.w.
against an average of
1400 to 1500 k w. Con-
sequently the voltage al-
ready registering between
180 to 190 went down
further. It got so bad
that even the cinema
house and the telephone
exchange were affected.
Enquiries at the Mu-
nicipality revealed that
an acute shortage of
water has resulted in the
generating cs parity of the
Sidrapong hydroelectric
Tailing considerably. This
has made all the three
diesel engines at the
Lebong Power station
work the whole day long.
Even so they are unable
to generate all the power
needed by consumers.
The only glimmer of
hope till the new 500 k w.
engines are installed by
the end of this year, is
the expected release of
200 k.w. from the Sonada
area which is soon to be
taken over by the State
Eleotricity Beard. I how.
ever understand that a
considerable pcrtion of
the released power would
be re-diverted by giving
new connections. This is
a matter which requires
careful consideration by
the Municipality. While
priority should be given
to institutions like hoe pi-
, tals, it is felt that efforts
must also be made by
the Municipality to see
that consumer* get their
money's worth. Other-
wise it is felt that sooner
or later consumers would
insist that the State Elec-
tricity Board take over
the whole else trio instal-
lations of the municipality
and run it under thsm.
1 his might mean higher
charges, but consumers
would atleast be assured
of getting full voltage.
* • *
The district excise
staff at Siliguri recently
arrested a person while
manufacturing illicit liquor
from methylated spirit.
This is said to be the
first such oase in the
district. A full set of
distilling apparatus was
•sized.
.Another interesting
detection made by the
Sadar exo sa staff relates
to the seizure of 208 hemp
plants and \ seer of ganja
from a hut at Bloomfield.
Hemp does not usually
grow in such high alti-
tudes. Following the
seizure two persons were
convicted and sentenced
to pay a fine of Rs. 100/-
The Sadar Exoise
staff also made two raids
at Bamun Buetee and
seized 15 gallons of finished
liquor, 10 maUnds of
fermented wash 3 sets of
distilling apparatus, worth
approximately Rs. 3000/-
Three persons have been
arrested in this connection.
* • *
A compounder of a
big chemist shop in Nehru
Road was the victim of
an ingenuous trick which
resulted in a party of
thieves getting away with
forty rupees in cash.
(Continued on page 5)
Three
DARJEELING SHORT OF POWER DURING WINTER
Girl Outwits Darjeeling Chemist
r
(From Our Special Beprumlalipe)
Darjeeling, February 25
At no time during
the year does Darjeeling'*
electric supply generate
such low voltage as du-
ring th« winter. This
year the voltage has ge-
nerally tended to keep so
low that consumers have
become almost desperate.
Radios do not work, flu-
rosoent lights emit sparks
like lightening before
subsiding completely, hea-
ters give out luke warm
heat.
Darjeeling had almost
freezing weather all
through last week. 1 bis
resulted in consumers
using more eleotricity ar.d
the load capaoity reached
a maximum of 1900 k.w.
against an average of
1400 to 1500 k w. Con-
sequently the voltage al-
ready registering between
180 to 190 went down
further. It got so bad
that even the cinema
house and the telephone
exchange were affected.
Enquiries at the Mu-
nicipality revealed that
an acute shortage of
water has resulted in the
generating cs parity of the
Sidrapong hydroelectric
Tailing considerably. This
has made all the three
diesel engines at the
Lebong Power station
work the whole day long.
Even so they are unable
to generate all the power
needed by consumers.
The only glimmer of
hope till the new 500 k w.
engines are installed by
the end of this year, is
the expected release of
200 k.w. from the Sonada
area which is soon to be
taken over by the State
Eleotricity Beard. I how.
ever understand that a
considerable pcrtion of
the released power would
be re-diverted by giving
new connections. This is
a matter which requires
careful consideration by
the Municipality. While
priority should be given
to institutions like hoe pi-
, tals, it is felt that efforts
must also be made by
the Municipality to see
that consumer* get their
money's worth. Other-
wise it is felt that sooner
or later consumers would
insist that the State Elec-
tricity Board take over
the whole else trio instal-
lations of the municipality
and run it under thsm.
1 his might mean higher
charges, but consumers
would atleast be assured
of getting full voltage.
* • *
The district excise
staff at Siliguri recently
arrested a person while
manufacturing illicit liquor
from methylated spirit.
This is said to be the
first such oase in the
district. A full set of
distilling apparatus was
•sized.
.Another interesting
detection made by the
Sadar exo sa staff relates
to the seizure of 208 hemp
plants and \ seer of ganja
from a hut at Bloomfield.
Hemp does not usually
grow in such high alti-
tudes. Following the
seizure two persons were
convicted and sentenced
to pay a fine of Rs. 100/-
The Sadar Exoise
staff also made two raids
at Bamun Buetee and
seized 15 gallons of finished
liquor, 10 maUnds of
fermented wash 3 sets of
distilling apparatus, worth
approximately Rs. 3000/-
Three persons have been
arrested in this connection.
* • *
A compounder of a
big chemist shop in Nehru
Road was the victim of
an ingenuous trick which
resulted in a party of
thieves getting away with
forty rupees in cash.
(Continued on page 5)