BCCI generates & uses own power at Chepauk says TANGEDCO

Chennai Super Kings play Royal Challengers today at Chepauk – and fortunately it is a  match commencing at 1600 hrs.

Tamil Nadu is grappling under severe power shortage – there are scheduled power cuts and industries are suffering because uninterrupted power supply is not available. Small industries cannot afford to have diesel / generator back up and are feeling the pinch of increased costs – there is some frustration on this count.

Tamil Nadu Electricity Board came into being  in 1957 and has remained the energy provider and distributor all these years. After 53years of journey on 1st of November 2010 it was restructured itself into TNEB Ltd; Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) Ltd; and Tamil Nadu Transmission Corporation (TANTRANSCO) Ltd.  

Even among the cricket fan, there is concern on wastage of power as so much of power is required for holding a match under floodlights.  When people are suffering for want of electricity, it does appear criminal waste to use so much of electricity for the game of cricket.   Recently, the  Madras High Court directed the TN Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited (TANGEDCO) to seek appropriate orders on imposing certain conditions on high tension (HT) industries with regard to power holidays. Public Interest Litigation was  filed at Madurai Bench of Madras High Court on providing electricity for the game.  

TANGEDCO  has stated before the Court that BCCI generates its own power to meet their demands during the matches. According to TANGEDCO officials, MAC Stadium has eleven service connections, which are subjected to restriction and control measures on use of electricity like any other consumers and the service connections fulfill the energy requirements of Club, Offices, etc., BCCI reportedly has nine 250 KVA generators,  which  they use to generate power for lighting the stadium.  In a communication sent to the  Madurai-based advocate, the Chairman and Managing Director of TANGEDO, has stated that the organisers of IPL, have not requested for uninterrupted power supply till date for the matches to be held at Chepauk.  It has further stated that there are no plans to accord any special benefit of uninterrupted power supply for the 10 T-20 cricket matches played in Chennai as part of the ongoing Indian Premier League-V tournament.

With regards – S. Sampathkumar.