Powerless Diwali for Raikot residents
Residents of Raikot were forced to celebrate the festival of lights, Diwali, in darkness as there was no power supply in the area on Thursday night. The residents alleged that the power supply went off at 10.30 in the night, when everyone was enjoying the festival outside their houses.
Residents of Raikot were forced to celebrate the festival of lights, Diwali, in darkness as there was no power supply in the area on Thursday night.
The residents alleged that the power supply went off at 10.30 in the night, when everyone was enjoying the festival outside their houses.
They filed a complaint but the supply was not restored till the filing of this report on Friday evening.
Parminder Singh, a resident of Raikot, said, “Diwali is celebrated as the festival of lights, but for us it was a festival of darkness, thanks to the power corporation.”
“We could not celebrate the festival with our children as there was complete darkness in absence of electricity. The festival lacked lustre this year,” said another resident.
Amandeep Singh Gill, a resident and former president of Raikot municipal council said, “Nothing has been done by the department despite many complaints. First of all, they didn’t receive the call and when they did, they had bundle of excuses like SDO or JE was not there. If the department would not take immediate action, we will be forced to protest against them.”
The residents also alleged that more than 18 hours had passed and no official of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) had visited the site to rectify the fault.
Jagdev Singh Hans, senior executive engineer (XEN) of Raikot division, PSPCL, said, “We sent technicians right after the power outage. The electricity was restored in the morning but after an hour another fault occurred. A team is currently on the site trying to restore the electricity in the area as soon as possible.”
It is worth mentioning that Rachhpal Singh, chief engineer, PSPCL, Central Zone, Ludhiana, had claimed that the power corporation would ensure uninterrupted power supply during the festival season across the district.