India cuts power supply by 25 MW

India has unilaterally and without notification cut power supply to Nepal by around 25 megawatts. India had recently promised to provide an additional 55 megawatts for this winter.
"India has cut supply of a total of 25 MW to different points such as Birgunj, Janakpur, Hetauda and Rajbiraj without notifying us," Rameshwar Yadav, managing director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) told Republica on Tuesday.
Nepal was importing around 115 MW from India and was expecting additional 55 MW as agreed during the visit to India by President Ram Baran Yadav in December last year.
"We have been trying to communicate with Indian officials about this sudden cut from the Uttar Pradesh state," Yadav said, adding, "No Indian official is available."
According to Yadav, India has cut power supply without apparent reason. "I don´t think this is the decision of the central government of India but of the state government of Uttar Pradesh."
Interestingly, India has cut down power just a week after President Yadav returned from India. A team of officials had visited India a few days ago purportedly to prepare ground for importing additional 55 MW. "We had a very nice conversation with Indian officials on issues including additional power and transmission lines," Yadav said.
After Monday´s cut in supply, NEA has not yet made any decision to reschedule the load-shedding hours. "We still don´t know whether the cut in supply is temporary or permanent," an official said.
Yadav also said NEA is still trying to contact Indian officials regarding the cut in supply.
NEA officials said the country could see load-shedding up to 20 hours a day if the cut in supply from India is permanent.