With temperatures soaring, the city's resident associations are blaming the government for not cracking down on discoms
After the debacle at MCD polls, the beleaguered Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has already faced enough flak, and now Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) have seemed to join the bandwagon. With temperatures crossing 40 degrees on a daily basis, RWAs are blaming the AAP government for not cracking down on distribution companies (discoms) to ensure uninterrupted power supply.
BS Vohra, president, east Delhi RWA Joint Front Federation, said that his area has been witnessing frequent power cuts for the last few days making it difficult to bear the heat during this season.
"From the last few days, we have had infrequent power supply. On Friday, there was no electricity for more than six to seven hours, even after midnight, following which we could not sleep. Instances like these have increased since last year," Vohra said.
He also alleged that discoms were making false claims regarding the power situation so they could get an excuse to hike rates. BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL), which supplies electricity to east Delhi, is the worst affected combined with incidents of power thefts common in the area. As RWAs point out, power cuts are especially worrisome as they can lead to problems in water storage during summers.
"On Saturday, water supply timings clashed with those of load shedding, which took place from 5 am up to 9 am. I could not store water in my house. These fluctuations have also led to damage of electronic devices like laptops, refrigerators, and air conditioners, thereby resulting in short-circuits," said Saurabh Gandhi, general secretary of the United Residents of Delhi (URD).
Gandhi also alleged that several irregularities in the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) had been highlighted. He said that he had informed the Delhi government, but no action has been taken yet.
Rajiv Kakria, a member of an RWA in south Delhi, said that discoms should be pulled up for frequent power cuts and a penalty should be imposed on them.
"Union Minister for Power Piyush Goyal has already stated that there is no dearth of power in our country. It is the responsibility of discoms to ensure that equipment of the best quality is installed for better functioning," Kakria said.
Electricity in the city is supplied by four discoms namely North Delhi Power Limited (NDPL), BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL), BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL), and New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) which supplies electricity to central Delhi.
Power Hazards
1. Lack of Water: Lack of power through load shedding means Delhiites cannot store water for drinking and other purposes
2. Likelihood of Fire: Tripping or suddenly stopping electricity flow can lead to short circuits and fires in summer. This is one of the reasons why incidents of fires increase during this season
3. Damaged Goods: Electrical appliances are especially vulnerable during this season and many of them get damaged during summers
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Powerless-Delhi")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}