Power supply to Durga temple restored

Power supply to the famous Durga Malleswara Swamy Temple on Indrakeeladri Hill, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh is briefly disconnected on Saturday by the power utility due to pending electricity dues of over Rs 3.08 crore. 

The Andhra Pradesh Central Power Distribution Company Limited (APCPDCL) claimed the temple authorities had not paid electricity bills since February 2023, despite repeated notices while the temple officials stated that they operate a 1-megawatt solar power plant and supply surplus power to the grid free of cost in return for free power to 10 designated temple services. They alleged that delay and technical issues on the part of the power utility in implementing net metering led to the billing dispute.

The power was cut from the High Tension (HT) line for about an hour. Essential temple services continued uninterrupted using backup generators to avoid inconvenience to devotees.

Following discussions between the temple management and electricity officials, the power supply to the temple premises has been fully restored by evening.