12-hour shutdown in one-third of Lahore

LAHORE: Electricity supply to large parts of the provincial metropolis could not be restored even after 12 hours of shutdown, thanks to mismanagement of Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco).

The staff of Lesco could not complete work of shifting power lines within time. The planned shutdown was between 9am to 5pm but work on distribution lines could not be completed after 10-hour shutdown and in the meanwhile 40MVA transformer of Fatehgarh also got damaged, disconnecting power supply to eastern parts of the city.

Additional 24 hours are needed to completely restore electricity supply to the affected area, an official said. The affected localities along the Canal Road include Mughalpura, Ramgarh, Harbanspura, Fatehgarh, Taj Bagh, Shad Bagh, Tajpura and Amir Town.

The problems of masses on account of power outages started on Sunday morning with the planned shutdown of four major grid stations of the Lesco with a view to completing shifting of main distribution lines. Power supply was disconnected at around 8am on Sunday, adversely affecting people living in about one-third of the city.

The shifting of lines could not be completed well within the stipulated time. The problem of masses aggravated with the damage of a major transformer in the area. After cancellation of shutdown, one 40 MVA transformer T3 at Fatehgarh damaged and load had to be shifted on other transformer, said an official. He added that we have to carry out load management until replacement of transformer and it may take 24 hours time.

Safdar, a resident of area, said that electricity should have been restored by 4pm after completion of work along Canal Road. However, he lamented, entire area was still without power supply. He alleged that Lesco staff was not available for informing the masses about nature of problem and restoration time.