Power Ministry clarifies on 9-minute blackout
Chandigarh, April 4, 2020: Reacting to the concern raised on the appeal of Prime Minister to the people of India for 9-minute blackout at 9 pm on April 5 throughout the country, the Ministry of Power has issued a clarification.
In the clarification, it is stated that the appeal of the Prime Minister to the people is to voluntarily switch off only the lights at 9 pm on April 5. There is no call to switch off either streetlights or appliances like TVs, Refrigerators and ACs in homes. However, adequate arrangements and protocols are in place to handle the variation in demand and people should be assured not to worry and continue running all the appliances as usual.
It has also been stated that local bodies may be advised to keep the street lights on so as to avoid any law and order problems.
In the meantime, the National Load Despatch Centre has worked out the procedures for grid balancing during the period which they will be communicating to the Regional and State Load Despatch Centres separately.