Gujarat

Narendra Modi

Gandhinagar

I am not aware of the issue, but what is the problem in choosing to power the show with generators? We have used a cheaper option Saurabh Patel, Energy Minister

The Global Trade Show 2019, part of the highpowered VibrantGlobal Investors Summit, will go without standard power supply for the first time in the surplus-energy state of Gujarat.Mirror has learnt that the show, to be inaugurated by Prime Ministertoday, has not been given electricity connection by Torrent Power as the state government allegedly refused to pay the company a security deposit of nearly Rs 4.5 crore. It is for the first time that the trade show, a platform for networking and knowledge-sharing among industry sectors including the power sector, will run on generator sets instead of regular power supply.The show will have 16 domes spread over 2 lakh sqm area on the helipad ground in. It will also have 15 partner countries for the mega event. The Africa Day celebrations, with close to 50 African countries slated for participation, will also be held at the venue. Confirming that the company is not supplying power for the show, Torrent Power spokesperson told Mirror, “The government did not pay for the service line. So, we have not given power connection to them.”The entire show, which is expected to register a footfall of 1.6 million, will run on generator sets. According to sources associated with the power company, there is a requirement of about 500 kilo watt power for the trade show and this would now be met by the generators.Sources also informed Mirror that the government was asked to pay Rs 4.5 crore as security deposit for installation of the power line and temporary power connection, but they refused to pay up.Energy Minister Saurabh Patel, who will be monitoring the trade show, said, “We chose whatever cheaper option we found.” He further said, “I am not aware of the issue, but what is the problem in choosing to power the show with generators? We have used cheaper option for the show.”Energy expert K K Bajaj said, “Using generator sets is cheaper than getting a power company to supply electricity. At the same time, one must think of the noise and air pollution that they will produce during the event. Having generator as a back-up is fine. One can even have an inverter as a back-up power resource but having a generator as main power resource is not ideal.”Managing Director of iNDEXTb Rajkumar Beniwal washed his hands off the issue, saying the event management agency was answerable for it. “We are supplied electricity by Torrent Power in functions organised by us. Few months ago, we held an exhibition and got power from Torrent because the event was our responsibility. This time, it is the responsibility of the agency managing the show to make all arrangements.”Interestingly, Kamlesh Gohil, director of agency K and D, which is managing the show said, “I have no idea about the issue. iNDEXTb will be able to give information on the same.” He dodged further questions on the issue.Gujarat Congress President Amit Chavda slammed the BJP for the “mismanagement”, saying “On one hand, the government is talking about surplus energy, but on the other, they fail to get power supply in their own functions. In Gujarat, many farmers are deprived of electricity connections. This situation shows that all talk of surplus electricity is only on paper.”The exhibition centre at helipad ground is being used since 2015 for Vibrant Gujarat Global Trade Show. Around 10 exhibitions are held every year at the same venue and each contributes about Rs 2 crore to the revenue of the state government, said sources.