Andhra Pradesh Electricity Board - Visakhapatnam

While I have no complaints regarding the promptness with which the power is restored whenever it breaks down, I fail to understand why 1. there is no 24 hr. power supply without any break down in power surplus state 2. Why power supply is shut off when ever local wind speed increases ? Isn't there a better method to isolate the sagging supply cables from coming in contact with each other?

Presently the management is good. Certain things are to be still corrected:
1. All the bills payable are made online and it is very fine. Any time payment centres are to be increased. The online payment is being charged. This should be made free as the department is saving human resources to that extent. And more and more people will be encouraged to pay online. Moreover, if the Rs. 5/- charged is removed, it will help poor uneducated youth in the rural areas to open an employment by collecting and paying online for the other villagers. That Rs. will be charged by him.

2. In case of new connections the application money and all are to be paid by way of a Demand Draft. The cost of application is Rs. 25/- and for that one has to approach a bank pay Rs. 25/- to 35/- and get a pay order. This is riduculous.

Power cut management is very good. Some times power cut happens beyond the control of the distributor. In such case managing power cut do take long time and it is sudden, no scope for giving advance intimation. The power cut do occur just before outbreak of monsoon due to failure of insulators. These could happen inspite of best maintenance practices. My personal opinion, having associated with power industry for more than 33 years, the present management of power maintenance is good.

Though there is an improvement in supply terms, a lot remains to be done. One solution for many issues is underground cabling, which though planned, has yet to take place. There has to be preplanning for any work/repair work to be undertaken, with sufficient notice to the consumers. Very rarely do we observe any powercuts in Mumbai, leave alone abroad. The works carried out should be graceful, appealing and consumer friendly. There has to be further attitudinal reorientation.

POWER CUT DUE TO RAINS AND MAINTENANCE ARE STILL FREQUENT. WE MUST LEARN FROM DEVELOPED COUNTRIES HOW THEY ARE ABLE TO GIVE UNINTERRUPTED POWER SUPPLY. ANSWERABILITY FOR ANY POWER CUT MUST BE PLACED ON THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE IN-CHARGE OF POWER DISTRIBUTION AND THEY MUST PAY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE CAUSED TO CONSUMERS IN THE FORM OF DISCOUNT IN MONTHLY ELECTRICITY BILLS.