While residents are already reeling under the soaring heat and humidity, unscheduled power cuts of up to three hours are only making matters worse.
According to residents, the unscheduled power cuts are being imposed regularly during night, leaving them sleepless. This, despite the announcement by Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) chairman KD Chaudhri in December last year that the residents will not face any power problems in summer of 2013.
Major Sher Singh Aulakh, a resident of Shaheed Karnail Singh Nagar, said a five-hour unscheduled power cut was imposed in the area on Monday. He added that the power daily went off during nights due to which they were facing inconvenience in the sultry weather conditions. Aulakh said the corporation's complaint number always remained busy, leaving them helpless.
He further claimed that if they were able to file a complaint, the corporation did not redress them timely. He demanded that the corporation look into the power woes of the area.
Rakesh Kumar of Haibowal, said they faced unscheduled power cuts during night as well as early morning. He said they were forced to sleep on rooftops in the absence of power during night, adding that children suffered more in the absence of power, especially while getting ready for school.
A resident of Urban Estate Dugri, requesting anonymity, said around three-hour power cuts were being imposed in their area.
{{/usCountry}}A resident of Urban Estate Dugri, requesting anonymity, said around three-hour power cuts were being imposed in their area.
{{/usCountry}}There are also reports of regular unscheduled power cuts from Dugri, Civil Lines, Ghumar Mandi, Gill Road, Singh Pura Mohalla, Aggar Nagar, SKS Nagar and other parts of city.
When contacted, deputy chief engineer Tarlok Singh said an electricity transformer of Shaheed Karnail Singh Nagar had damaged, causing power outage. But it had been changed now, he added.
When asked about the regular unscheduled power cuts during night times in various areas of the city, Singh replied it depended upon availability of power, and the matter was concerned with PSPCL office in Patiala.
Despite repeated attempts, PSPCL chairman KD Chaudhary was not available for comment.