Residents say power crisis still on, govt refutes claims

GURUGRAM: Despite authorities claiming that the power supply situation in Gurugram is better than last week and Haryana power minister Ranjit Singh stating that the situation across the state is likely to improve in the next 10 days, residents in several localities, especially those living in Sushant Lok, Palam Vihar and Sector 21 and Sector 22, still struggled with power outages for long hours on Friday.

Some of the residents even alleged that repeated attempts to lodge a complaint on the helpline number of Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) were futile as no one responded.

Ruchika Srivastava, a resident of Block C in Sushant Lok Phase I, said they were frequently facing long outages.

“On Thursday, there was a power outage for more than five hours in the evening. Power was restored at around 9.45pm,” she said.

Srivastava added that given the frequent power cuts, it is becoming tough to stay inside the house especially amid the hot weather.

Unlike those who live in condominiums and get long power backups, Srivastava lives in a private house with an inverter.

“I repeatedly tried to call on the two contact numbers of DHBVN provided on their website but no one answered,” she said.

Joginder Singh, the founder president of residents’ welfare association of Sushant Lok Phase II and Phase III, said there was a six-hour power outage in the area on Thursday. “There was a power outage on Friday too, which lasted for around one and a half hours in the evening,” he said.

Kuldeep Singh Nehra, executive engineer of suburban Gurugram, DHBVN, said power outages, if any, are taking place only for routine maintenance work or due to any local individual fault.

He said there is no power crisis at present.

“Residents of sectors 21 and 22 faced power outages for one to two hours on Friday as trees were being trimmed in the area. These are maintenance works that we have to mandatorily undertake before monsoon every year to prevent mishaps and ensure the safety of people and property. If these works are not carried out,branches can disrupt power supply or cause a spark or fire during rain or storm,” according to Nehra.

No other power cuts are taking place now as there is ample supply.

“In case any resident is facing trouble in lodging their complaint through the helpline numbers, they can drop a complaint on the RWA WhatsApp groups in which we are also connected. We do attend to these complaints,” he said.