Diesel and high rise buildings

Here is an article on Diesel shortage.


Diesel: High-rises hit hard
Deccan Herald, Bangalore, July 26, 2008

The short supply of diesel has hit residents of apartment complexes very hard in Bangalore. Whenever there is no power supply, the residents have to switch on diesel generators as a substitute. For the last one-week they have been struggling to get the required quantum of diesel.

The problem began with the introduction of load shedding. Now there is neither sufficient power nor diesel to run generators. There is artificial-demand for diesel, thanks to paucity of power and panic buying. Many industries too have been running on diesel generators since the unscheduled load shedding was introduced.

Demand for diesel in Bangalore Urban district on normal days is 18 lakh litres per day, according to oil company sources. However since the power crisis began the demand has shot up to 26 lakh litres per day Petrol dealers attribute this to panic buying.

Power austerity
Residents' associations have given clear instructions their members to minimise use of lights, air conditioners, fans and elevators as well. G Govardhan, president of Chattered Cottage Apartments Owners' Association, said in his complex a notice has been displayed asking members to make all efforts to minimise the power consumption.

Purva Park Apartment Complex in Cox Town consists OF 420 fiats. When there is no power three diesel generators are used. N P Madaiah, president of Purva Park Apartment Complex, said 32 litres of diesel is required to run three generators for an hour. The association has restricted power supply to one light in each house; elevators and lighting in common place. "No resident will get power for refrigerators or air conditioners from generators," the president said.

Many petrol dealers blame industrialists for the situation. "The panic buying by industrialists has made the general public, particularly those in apartment complexes suffer", said Sunil Nagpal, managing partner of a petrol bunk on Richmond Road.

Cap on sale
Petrol bunk dealers have put a cap on diesel sale. "No customer will get more than 600 litres a day," Nagpal said. M G Prabhakar, Chairman, Energy committee (FKCCI), said the total consumption of power by industrialists in Bescom region is only 13 million units per day. The current supply of diesel is enough to meet the demand. But industrialists are panicky.

Diesel generators in apartment complexes are mainly used to keep elevators on and essential services-water supply and lighting available. As the situation is deteriorating, residents have resorted to power-saving measures.

Many residents' associations have restricted use of generators only when power supply is cut'in the night and given instructions to residents to minimise power consumption.
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