Prolonged power outages in sizzling weather irk public

Rawalpindi

Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) authorities seem to have turned deaf ear to the directions issued by Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif with regard to taking emergency measures for minimising power loadshedding in order to provide relief to the consumers. Instead of enforcing the orders of the prime minister, Iesco has increased the duration of power load shedding by suspending electricity after every two hours which is also being done in unscheduled manner.

Iesco official spokesman Raja Asim Nazir while agreeing the fact that people are experiencing severe type of loadshedding assured that situation will improve after April 25. He said that National Power Centre (NPC) is observing forced loadshedding where they are helpless. According to spokesman, we need 1400 MW electricity while we are getting only 1002 MW and facing 400 MW shortfall.

Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif only a couple of days back took serious notice over the increase in hours of loadshedding and issued special directions to Iesco authorities for taking immediate measures for curtailing its duration for providing relief to the people.

However, Iesco authorities instead of providing any relief to the consumers have started to further wreck the nerves of the people by suspending power supply after every two hours. At present power load shedding is being done for more than 12 hours a day which is 8 hours enhancement in its duration since the start of hot weather. It is being done at the time when work on several power projects is underway. In winter, people were experiencing loadshedding only for three hours. They believed that the timings of loadshedding would be curtailed further due to implementation of new power projects. Ironically all the dreams of the consumers have been shattered as Iesco showing no reluctance and mercy have resorted to severe power breakdowns.

Since the start of summer almost every area of Cantonments and city areas are experiencing severe type of power breakdowns which include Adiala, Kamalabad, Dhoke Syedan, Lalazar, Tulsa Road, Akram Shaheed Colony, Samarzar Colony, Tahli Morri, Dheri Hassanabad, Dhoke Juma, Tariqabad, Liaquat Bagh, Committee Chowk, Tench Bhatta, Peoples Colony, Harley Street, Asghar Mall, Satellite Town, Commercial Market, Dhoke Farman Ali, Shamshabad, Tipu Road, Morgah , Kashmir Road, Dhoke Chaudhrian.

Like other areas people of Dhoke Chaudhrian alleged that on Wednesday Iesco had suspended power supply at 10 am and restored after 7 hours. The helpless consumers have appealed to Supreme Court Chief Justice for taking suo moto action against Iesco to provide electricity in this hot and humid weather.

Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) managing director Raja Shaukat expressing grave concern on long hours of loadshedding being done by Iesco because of which Wasa is unable to fulfil the needs of public are not only facing loadshedding but severe water shortage as several filtration plants are not operating. People are turning back to home without taking even drinking water.

Because of excessive power outages, problem of water crisis has also emerged in city and cantonment areas as the related civic bodies are facing great difficulties to meet the demand of water supply to their consumers.

Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) managing director Raja Shaukat expressing big concern on long hours of load shedding being done by Iesco because of which Wasa is unable to full the needs of public.