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Hindustan Times
17-06-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Panchkula: Erratic power supply amid blistering heat adds to residents woes
Residents of the trans-Ghaggar area have said they have been facing frequent power outages amid the blistering heat, accusing the authorities concerned of not coming up with a permanent solution to the problem. According to them, particularly those residing in Sector 25, voltage fluctuation has also been a common sight but multiple complaints appear to have fallen on deaf ears, resulting in sleepless nights. PP Wahi from Sector 25, a retired chief engineer of the Bhakra Beas Management Board, said the transformers in the area were of low capacity whereas the load increases multiple times in summers, resulting in trippings. He said the issue has been brought to the notice of the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (UHBVNL) but to no avail. Another resident, Sant Gill, said the contractor, hired by the UHBVNL, has different WhatsApp groups which received over 2,700 complaints from trans-Ghaggar area in April and May. 'We are compiling these complaints to present the same before UHBVNL higher-ups,' he said. Mohit Gupta of Sector 25 echoed similar concerns regarding outages. SK Nayar, a member of the Citizens' Welfare Association, said the situation was no different in Sector 15. The residents also blamed the 'ageing' infrastructure. Last year, a delegation led by Wahi had met with UHBVNL higher-ups and highlighted that silica gel breather, which protects the transformer from moisture and other contaminants, was not being used. They also highlighted the haphazard growth of trees, affecting 11kV lines, and other issues. They said the officials were yet to resolve the issues. Vinod Kumar, an official of the UHBVNL-hired Imperial Electric Company, acknowledged that numerous complaints were being received regarding voltage fluctuations and power outages, but he blamed residents, claiming that they were using high power-consuming appliances, like air conditioners, but not filing requests for increasing their sanctioned power load, leaving the existing lines strained. When contacted, executive engineer (operations) Ashish Chopra claimed that the operations were being run smoothly. 'We have not received any complaint regarding power failure or voltage fluctuation in the recent days,' he added.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Frequent power outages cause trouble for Panchkula residents during summer
1 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.
