Electricity crisis cripples parts of Millennium City, discom blames it on high demand

For 62 of 72 hours between Sunday and Wednesday, residents of DLF Phase 3 have had no power with the Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam which supplies electricity in the city failing to check massive power cuts that it attributes to equipment failure arising from high demand.

For 62 of 72 hours between Sunday and Wednesday, residents of DLF Phase 3 have had no power with the Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) which supplies electricity in the city failing to check massive power cuts that it attributes to equipment failure arising from high demand.

Gurgaon’s power demand has peaked at 5 crore units over the past few days while the supply is only around 2.98 crore units. (HT File Photo)

The power crisis created a water problem. Residents say that a lengthy breakdown between 330 pm Monday to 7 am Tuesday meant they were not able to operate their water pumps to fill overhead tanks. A WhatsApp group of DLF 3 residents that also includes discom (distribution company) officials was ablaze with anger.

The officials eventually seem to have switched off their phones.

“Electricity keeps coming and going every 30 minutes in the past five days. This has ruined our daily routine and we are completely helpless,” said Bhagat Thareja, a resident of DLF 3, which is one of the city’s toniest neighbourhoods.

Thareja added that repeated complaints and the airing of grievances on social media haven ot helped.

“Every second, one or two transformers get damaged and that continues to cause power cuts in our areas. We have given a representation to DHBVN on Wednesday seeing a permanent solution ,” said a resident of South City in DLF 3, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The resident was just coming out of a meeting at the DHBVN office.

Gurgaon’s power demand has peaked at 5 crore units over the past few days while the supply is only around 2.98 crore units. Most gated enclaves and condominiums manage through their own generators, although the power generated from these is more expensive. Those without generators end up suffering.

DLF 3 isn’t the only affected area. Ardee City, South City, Sushant Lok, Ashok Vihar, Sectors 4, 5, 7, 17, 21, 22, 23, and New Palam Vihar have also been hit hard.

Praveen Yadav, president of Ardee City RWA , said: “We did not have electricity for 12 hours at stretch from Tuesday night 8.30 onwards. Three transformers got damaged and they are yet to be fixed. We have informed DHBVN.”

Dharam Sagar, president of the Federation of Resident Welfare Association of urban estate (Forwa), said, “DHBVN’s tall claim of 24x4 electricity supply has fallen flat.”