Chennai: Concerned over the power crisis faced by several states, Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Union ministry of power, on Monday invited proposals from agencies with experience in undertaking assessment of social impact to study the non-energy effects of advancing Indian Standard Time.

BEE believes that by advancing IST by half an hour power consumption can be reduced to a great extent. BEE, in a study taken up by IIT professors in 2009, estimated that the move would save approximately 2.7 billion units per year in lighting energy and reduce the peak energy demand.

However, beyond the advantages, the agencies interested in the project should also study the disadvantages of advancing IST. The study should also cover effects on transportation and associated streams .

The study would also encompass impact on public health, biological body clock, physical activities, office productivity and offset time zone. The entire assignment must be completed within six months of award of the contract, the BEE said in its tender bulletin.

“Flora and fauna respond to sunset and sunrise and nocturnal animals will continue their routine and any such advancement in timing will not have any biological impact on flora and fauna, but for humans the subject has to be studied,” K. Brinda, conservation scientist, Biodiversity Conservation Foundation.

“The idea seems to be cost effective and will hardly have any environmental hazard,” said environmental activist Nisha Thotta.