Panchkula already reeling under frequent power cuts

 Hina Rohtaki

Panchkula, April 22

Rajshree, who is eight months pregnant was sitting outside from 12 midnight to 3.30 am as there was no power at her house in Mansa Devi Complex in Sector 5.

Just on the onset of summer, Panchkula which was once known as ‘no power cut zone’ is now reeling under power cuts.

For the past two days, unscheduled cuts are taking place from 8 am to 2 pm, 10 to 2 pm and 

at night from 12 am to 

3.30 am.

Sectors 23, 15, 11, 12A, 14, 17, 18,19, 21, 20, Mansa Devi Complex in Sector 5, Barwala area, Morni block, Raipurrani are facing severe power cuts.

Executive Engineer DS Dhanda said, “Log jhoot bolte hain aapko. koi cut nahi hai. Unhone to Mahatma Gandhi ko nahi choda (people are lying to you. They didn’t even spare Mahatma Gandhi.”

There are nearly 1.40 lakh consumers and 17 sub-stations of 66KV in Panchkula. When told that Gandhi Colony and other colonies that were not paying for the electricity had power connections and thus added to the load, Dhanda said, “There is no place in India where light doesn’t go. People in other areas also face cuts. There shouldn’t be 

any problem.”

Raju, a resident of Rihor village in Barwala said, “ It has been three days, there is no power from 8 am to 2 pm and then from 12am  to 4am. This is the situation now then what will happen in the peak of summer.”

SK Nayyar, president of the Residents Welfare Associations of Panchkula said, “Rotational cuts are taking place in our sectors. 

It comes for one hour and then again goes for two hours. At night, the situation is pathetic.”

He added, “ The electricity officials never carry out any inspection on the load. Not even once they have ever visited the sectors.”

Superintending Engineer VK Khurana said, “I have just joined now. I will have to know facts from the Executive Engineer.”

“ My daughter is pregnant and I know how difficult it is for her. 

She is unable to get proper sleep and has fallen sick,”said Tarun Khanna, a resident of Mansa Devi Complex in Sector 5.