LAHORE, Oct 13: Electricity supply disruptions continued unchecked in the provincial metropolis on Sunday because of the failure of the Wapda and Lesco officials to remove inherent defects in the system.

Lesco officials have developed the habit of justifying the power supply disruptions by attributing the same either to the kite-fliers using metal wires or a fault in the grid station’s distribution system.

Electricity supply disruption used to be an unusual phenomenon in Lahore a few years ago. The consumers considered it necessary to lodge a complaint with Wapda in this regard because they knew that it had happened because of tripping of the transformer or any damage to their domestic supply line.

Power interruptions are so frequent now that people hardly contact the Lesco staff in this regard.

They only think of lodging a complaint in case the supply remained suspended for around an hour and after learning that the entire area was without electricity owing to some defect in the local grid station or the national grid.

Electricity supply interruption because of any fault in Wapda/ Lesco system is restored after a few minutes or an hour. But to get the fault in the local transformer or the line supplying electricity to the consumer’s premises removed is quite an ordeal.

The consumer has to lodge the complaint with the Lesco sub-division concerned by telephone or by visiting it. The consumer is told that the team is in the field and would be asked to attend to the complaint on return.

The team usually does not return before sunrise in case of most complaints lodged at night because the staff does not have search lights and ladder-fitted vehicles to undertake repairs on live wires in the dark.

Complaints lodged during the day are usually attended after a few hours. Those lodged during rain are rarely attended.

Electricity supply disruptions are so common and widespread that only some areas can boast of enjoying the privilege of having fewer breakdowns than others.

Gulshan-i-Ravi, Allama Iqbal Town, Saidpur, Hanjarwal, Canal View, Samanabad, Rasool Park, Nawankot, Sabzazaar, Islamia Park, Mohni Road, Infantry Road, Misri Shah, Sanda, Sherakot, Santnagar, Rajgarh, Rewaz Gardens, Mozang, Temple Road, Bilal Gunj, Data Nagar, Bibi Pak Daman, Walton Road, Tajpura, Baghbanpura, Mughalpura, some areas of Defence and Cantonment are among the localities with maximum number of power supply disruptions.