Bhubaneswar: With the increase of hydro power generation in the State following incessant rains in the upper catchment areas, the State Government today asked the Energy Department to cut down the power cut duration.

The directive was given by Energy Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak during a high level review meeting on hydro power generation and power position in the State, at the State Secretariat here.

Talking to PBD, Nayak said that due to adequate rainfall particularly in the upper catchment areas of major rivers in the South, hydro power generation from Indravati and Balimela reservoirs has improved slightly.

These two hydel projects which were generating about 450 MW of power earlier, are now generating 750 MW, he added.

The minister said that as against the demand of 3000 MW of electricity during peak period, the state is presently getting 2500 MW having a shortfall of 250 MW of power.