LAHORE: Various parts of the city and its adjoining districts faced power suspension for a couple of hours on Friday after 200 electricity distribution feeders tripped due to rain. However, the Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) claimed to have energised most of the feeders.

According to official sources, the tripped feeders included 50 in Lahore and the rest in (mostly rural) areas of Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib and Kasur. “About 200 of the total 1,700 feeders in service areas of Lesco tripped due to rain. It affected power distribution in both urban and rural areas of Lahore and adjoining districts,” a Lesco official told Dawn.

He claimed that by 8pm, Lesco teams had energised most of the feeders, restoring electricity supply to various parts of the affected districts.

SDO: Several sub-divisional officers (SDOs) of Lesco’s field formations on Friday demanded confirmation of their jobs in a meeting with Lesco’s chief executive officer.

During the meeting, the Lesco chief told the SDOs that the Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco) management had already been informed of the issue. “Hopefully, Pepco will take a positive decision soon,” he added.

CRACKDOWN: Various teams of the city administration on Friday launched a crackdown on those involved in selling petrol by establishing fuel dispensing units in shops in various localities. On first day of the operation, a team headed by the Shalimar assistant commissioner got two men arrested for selling petrol at Bhogiwal and College Road. The team also confiscated the dispensing machines.

HELMET: Following public complaints, the city administration started on Friday sale of helmets at controlled prices. According to a spokesman, the administration’s teams started selling locally made and Chinese helmets for Rs500 and Rs1,150, respectively.

Meanwhile, another team arrested seven people for selling helmets on rates higher than those fixed.

Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2018