Pune model comes undone

Pradeep Bhargava, chairman, Maharashtra Council of the Confederation of Indian Industries CII, who initiated the Pune model promises to 8216;bounce back8217; but is categorical that the 8216;model8217; has to be suspended for some time. The Pune model came into force in June 2006, when about 30 industries used their captive power units during peak hours instead of drawing power from the state grid.

The 90 MW thus saved was used to cater to the city8217;s needs. To make up the cost of running the CPPs, consumers with monthly consumption of more than 300 units were asked to pay a reliability charge of 42 paise per unit.

For many years prior to that, Pune had faced load shedding ranging from one to four hours a day not much different from other cities in Maharashtra except for Mumbai.

What was heartening was the concept of 8220;Pune Model8221; was made applicable first to Baramati town and then to the entire Navi Mumbai area including Thane and Vashi. Maharashtra is the first state in the country where this unique model brought relief to the large section of the population.