Frequent power outages cause trouble for Panchkula residents during summer
2
Panchkula: Although the Union Power Ministry maintains that consumers have a right to uninterrupted 24x7 power supply, frequent outages and breakdowns are the order of the day in Panchkula, especially during the summer months.
The Centre also asserts that if a distribution company engages in wilful load shedding, consumers have the right to claim compensation. Yet, despite these guidelines, Panchkula residents continue to bear the brunt of
frequent power cuts
.
Residents told TOI that every summer brings frequent power outages, making life difficult in the scorching heat, with temperatures hovering above 40 degrees Celsius.
SK Aggarwal, a resident of Sector 4, lamented, "There are power cuts in Sector 4, our area, but they are unscheduled.
As per IER rules, there can't be unscheduled power cuts. Moreover, the maintenance is very poor. During rains or storms, electricity goes out because of more sag of conductors, and wet tree branches touch conductors, causing short circuits. I doubt if the silica gel of transformers is checked regularly.
As per rules, the electrical inspector is supposed to inspect all electric installations, including the distribution system.
There should be no trees under overhead conductors."
Another resident, Megha Bansal, rued, "Sector 18 and Sector 7 both face too many power cuts. Every week, there is a 2-4 hour shutdown. Still, every day, at least one or two times, power is switched off. We have a group from the electricity dept, and they update us about shutdowns in advance and tell us why the power has been switched off. But why is power being cut so frequently?"
Solution Box forum founder Mohit Gupta, a resident of Sector 25, said, "It is frequent cuts and a frequent failure of the distribution system.
An under-maintained and heavily overloaded system gives way in the wake of peak demand in the summers. UHBVNL is not even trying to work out a planned maintenance system; just firefighting is being done."
PP Wahi, retired chief engineer, Bhakra Beas Management Board, Nangal, whose son resides in Sector 25, observed the power system in Panchkula earlier. "Pruning of trees near distribution lines needs to be done, and dry bushes under the lines need to be cleared.
Replacement of low-capacity feeders is needed, and advance notice for shutdowns should be given. He found a lack of proper maintenance as another reason for the deficiency in providing the service.
"
However, Chandan Singh, chief engineer (operations),
Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited
(UHBVNL), reasoned, "It is a temporary phase, which will end by Saturday or Sunday. Due to recent storms, our lines got affected, so we are fixing them in a phased manner, for which sometimes power is turned off in between for some time. "
Besides, he said, upgrading and maintenance is not an issue with the department.
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