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Industrial activity across the state is gradually inching towards pre-lockdown level with power consumption steadily increasing from dedicated industrial feeders.
Against the average daily consumption of  8,630 megawatts (MW) through 518 state industrial feeders getting uninterrupted 24-hour supply in February 2020, the aggregate consumption had dipped to 3,198 MW or 37 per cent in April due to lockdown. At that time, only those units were allowed to operate, which dealt in essential commodities, such as food and medicines or continuous manufacturing processes.
With the revival of industries, power consumption through industrial feeders stood at 7,246 MW on Thursday (May 21), constituting 84 per cent of power consumption as compared to February.
Industrial Development Minister Satish Mahana said that the speedy resumption of industrial activities was translating into rising power demand. He expressed confidence that the remaining 15 per cent units would join the league soon.
“Industrial units, while resuming operations, are following social distancing protocol and the government is taking steps to facilitate rebooting of factories, which were shut due to lockdown in March last week.
“Once industrial activities return to normal, it would strengthen the state’s economy. Besides, the influx of skilled migrants from other states viz.. Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Karnataka etc. would prove to be a boon for the state. A case in point is that of cycle and rickshaw units based in Punjab, which would be hard hit by the exodus of migrant workers. But similar production units in the state will now get bulk of the orders,” the minister said.