Recurring power outages test Pindiites’ patience

Rawalpindi : Even in peak winter days, the residents of Rawalpindi are facing frequent power loadshedding which has disrupted routine life and businesses all around. The residents of city and cantonment localities are facing 8 to 12-hours unannounced loadshedding.

On the other hand, Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) official spokesman in a statement has said that “they are getting less power quota therefore department is observing ‘Load Management’ even in winter

days.” “As we get full electricity quota, we will provide uninterrupted power supply,” official spokesman hoped.

The residents of Rawalpindi are not only facing unannounced power cuts but also facing worst water shortage because light is disappearing after every one hour.

The concerned department assured to observe only 6-hours power load management but it was increasing after every passing day.

The consumers of Adiala Road, Dhoke Banaras, Dhamyal, Gulshanabad, Gulistan Colony, Morgah, Jhanda Chichi, Pirwadhai, Bagh Sardaran, Asghar Mall, Kalyal, Dhok Juma, Al-Mumtaz Colony, Committee Chowk, Liaquat Bagh, Raja Bazaar, City Saddar Road, Dhok Hassu, Dhok Mangtal, Chah Sultan, Arya Muhallah, Lal Kurti, Adra, Tench Bhatta, Girja Road, Misroyal, Range Road and several other areas were facing 8 to 12-hours of power loadshedding for some days.

Citizens said that they were facing a dire situation due to power outages after every one hour. Residents of several areas including Saddar, Marrir, Gulistan Colony, Dhok Banaras, Millatabad, Khayaban-e-Sir Syed, Pirwadhai, Gawalmandi, Dhok Hasso, Dhok Khabba, Tench, Dhok Chaudhriyan, Range Road, Misryal Road, Chauhar Chowk, Bank Colony, Chakri, Dhamyal, Scheme-III and other areas said that they have been facing worst power cuts and load-shedding in peak winter season.

On the other hand, the power cuts have also badly affected the water supply situation in the city and owing to the non-operation of tube wells and filtration plants, people are facing severe scarcity of drinking water at home.

Due to the continuous disruption of power supply, the operations of tube wells in the city and Cantonment areas have been affected, creating a short supply of water for the residents.

The demand for UPS batteries and generators has also gone up with the increase in power load-shedding. Shops selling UPS batteries on College Road remain crowded with buyers.

Residents demanded that the government should fix the power supply system so that they could be spared from the worst power cuts.

On the other hand, due to the increasing complaints of citizens about unannounced load-shedding in the city and Cantonment, the complaints cells of IESCO has stopped attending telephone calls.

The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Rawalpindi has urged citizens to use water judiciously as the agency faces a water shortage because of the increase in demand and frequent power loadshedding.

Talking to ‘The News’ people belonged to different walks of life have appealed so-called caretaker government to provide at least basic needs to public otherwise locals will come out from homes.