Power crisis pushes city back into dark ages

THOUGH THE country has stepped into the 21st century with greater confidence and is rubbing shoulders with developed nations, a quick look at the existing power scenario reminds one about the dark ages.

THOUGH THE country has stepped into the 21st century with greater confidence and is rubbing shoulders with developed nations, a quick look at the existing power scenario reminds one about the dark ages.

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Unscheduled power cuts, specially at night, have hit the common people hard, who after their day’s hard work, are forced to pass their nights under the sky. The actual impact of power crisis can be ascertained only when one ventures out on a summer night.

In a bid to get firsthand knowledge of the actual problem of power supply, deputy mayor of Varanasi Sanjay Rai visited a number of localities on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday and came across some unbelievable scenes.

Rai, along with some other friends, visited Amar Nagar Colony, Ashok Nagar Colony, Lallapura, Maulvi Bagh, Kasturba Gandhi Nagar, Sri Nagar Colony, Sigra Kamachcha, Choti Gaibi and Sidhagiri Bagh area late last night.

Residents sleeping on roads, in parks and on the pavements was the most common sight.

People have lost their confidence in the power department with barely 8 to 10-hour power supply and are consequently forced to pass their nights under the open sky.

“It was unbelievable to see people sleeping under the open sky”, exclaimed Rai, adding he would soon meet the officials concerned to ascertain the actual cause behind such poor power supply in the city.

He said a massive stir would be launched in case the existing scenario was not improved.