Face2News/Abohar.
As the transformer in the water works here was gutted and water supply today completely went off, the Consumer Movement, an NGO, sought PSPCL CMD’s intervention to put the supply in order.
The NGO said that the residents of Abohar were suffering because of erratic power supply. In the last few days, a number of transformers have burnt and consumers had to go without electricity for days together. If at all the transformers have burnt. While the damaged transformers should have been replaced within two-three hours, it took two to three days to local PSPCL officials to replace the burnt transformers
Citing examples, the consumer body said that power supply in the old walled city near Street-3 disrupted on June 21 at about 8.30 pm. The matter could not be reported on phone at the given numbers because the same stayed busy.(SUBHEAD)
These phones normally don’t take calls. The PSPCL portal provided no information as to when the supply will be restored. Power supply was restored on the next day at 11.00 am after about 15 hours. By no stretch of imagination, such a long period can be warranted for restoration of electricity even if there is a major fault. Similar problems occurred on June 22 also at 8.30 pm and the electricity was restored on June 23 at about 11.30 am forcing the consumers to bear the brunt for such a long period.
NGO chief SP Khariwal said that he reported the matter to the office of Chief Engineer, North-West, Bathinda and his complaint No.176 was registered on June 23 but even thereafter, nothing was done and moreover. The staff of the CE office did not get him to talk with the Chief Engineer to explain the grievances.
While a huge amount is spent by PSPCL on advertisements to bring to the notice of the public at large that in case the consumers suffer any problem due to erratic supply, the matter can be taken up with the senior officials of the PSPCL, but the concerned officials won’t take the calls. Local officials offer no explanation why transformers were getting damaged frequently.
Khariwal urged PSPCL CMD to send a competent official from Patiala to probe why power supply has not improved in Abohar even after upgrading the infrastructure by spending about Rs 25 crore.
