New Delhi Power cuts still go strong, pitchdark in several parts

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Power cuts still go strong, pitchdark in several parts

Express News Service New Delhi, July 19: IT was Trans-Yamuna’s turn to bear the full brunt of the power problem and routine load-shedding today.

Due to the tripping of the Sahibabad-Patparganj line at about 3pm, large sections of East Delhi were without electricity till late in the night.

Also affected today was West Delhi because of the sudden showers that the area experienced. The impromptu rains meant the death warrant of a few local feeders.

Parts in North Delhi had a problem because of a transformer that burst. In South Delhi, it was New Friends Colony, Malviya Nagar, Gautam Nagar and East of Kailash that experienced more than four hours of power cuts. ‘‘We have not had electricity for the past eight hours. The last two nights have been equally hellish,’’ said Sandip Sinha of D-block Naraina Vihar. ‘‘Every time we call up at the call centre, we first have to wait for three minutes before we can get connected and then another four if we want to know what is the complaint number. And they don’t tell me what the problem is or when the supply will be restored. Why can’t I get this information?’’ asks an annoyed Sinha.

The residents of Naraina even blocked traffic for over five hours in protest.

On the other hand, Tata Power’s North, North-west Delhi Distribution Company has made a deal with the contractors working in their 10 districts. CEO Anil Sardana clarified that they had talked with the contractors and their services had been retained. ‘‘We have told the 70-odd contractors in our area that they must continue their work and not worry about the payments. Money will follow,’’ said Sardana.

For the rest of Delhi — east, central, south and west — BSES kept talking with the contractors through the day. About 600 contractors serve the several zones that come under the two distribution circles with the BSES. It means that if the talks fail to appease the contractors, BSES areas would be without 4,000 contract labourers at least. Hence time taken to attend to complaints will automatically go up.

http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=23868

-- Martin (Martin@aol.com), July 21, 2002


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