HYDERABAD: Consumers suffer as power outage continues
By M.H. Khan and Qamaruddin
HYDERABAD, Aug 2: Power breakdowns in Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas have added to the miseries of people in last several days as the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (Hesco) has failed in catering to the needs of people.
The reason cited by Hesco for erratic power supply is shifting of load on to different grid stations - an argument not acceptable to consumers. Consumers believe Hesco’s inability in maintaining or upgrading fragile power distribution network is causing difficulties.
The situation has compelled consumers to draw a parallel between performances of Hesco with that of the Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC). They believe that on one hand Hesco fails to ensure uninterrupted power supply while on the other it slaps them with hefty bills or detections notices without a rhyme or reason.
People now experience not only sizzling heat but poor supply as different parts of the city remain suspended anytime around the clock with suspension lasting for several hours.
Sub-divisions like Gari Khata, Hirabad, Saddar and Sarfaraz are worst affected. In Saddar sub-division alone power suspension was reported 28 times in 24 hours. It is more irritating when Hesco officials remain absent from offices.
Telephone numbers of these offices remain endlessly busy as if they have been hooked off.
Hesco always boasts of attending to consumers’ complaint and timely service while phone numbers of its helpline service are disconnected.
Electricity also affects water supply in residential areas. When reservoirs of Water and Sanitation Agency are hit by power breakdowns a large part of the city is deprived of water leading to protests.Qamruddin from Mirpurkhas adds: Consumers experience hardships due to frequent power outages in city and other towns as shutdown has become a routine matter.
It affects water supply as three to four hours load-shedding is reported on daily basis. Work in government hospitals gets badly affected where operation of urgent nature are postponed. Water supply to cities and towns also gets affected with the result people get water form hand pumps. People fetch water from far-flung areas during breakdown.
Business activities get affected too after sunset as cities and towns are plunged into darkness.
