HYDERABAD, June 22: With the city sizzling under a heatwave, the system of power distribution has created an unbearable situation for residents. While people suffer due to prolonged power breakdowns, Hesco has been issuing bills with over-readings for the past several months.
Hesco chief executive Syed Adeebul Hassan Rizvi could not be contacted over his cellphone or through the public relations officer of the company.
Residents of most of residential and commercial areas of Hyderabad, Latifabad and Qasimabad talukas have been complaining against power breakdowns.
On Tuesday, power supply to various areas in the city was suspended at 7pm after electricity wires fell on the Fatima Jinnah Road on Tuesday. It took Hesco staff more than four hours to restore the power supply, only to be suspended again at around 2:45am. The power supply was restored at 7am.
“It multiplies people’s miseries when there is no electricity and children keep crying during the night”, said a power consumer from the cantonment area. He regretted that Hesco officials were not even recording their complaints.
In the recent duststorm, a number of electricity poles fell at various places, plunging many areas into darkness.
Commenting on power disruptions, Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal MPA Abdul Rehman Rajput said: “Hesco has been doing it to cover line losses by putting people in great trouble in these days of scorching heat”. He said enough water was available as per own statements of authorities concerned but smooth supply of power still remained a big question.
Besides, electric appliances have also burnt due to power fluctuations and low voltage.
“My computer, TV of our neighbours and an exhaust fan burnt in the Hirabad sub-division. Will Hesco pay for it? On the contrary, I will get an inflated bill for which I will have to request one or the other officer of Hesco to get it corrected and I believe it will not be done”, said another consumer, Rizwan. He added that on Tuesday night there was a big explosion and then there was no power supply.
Patients at the Hyderabad Civil Hospital have been suffering badly on account of frequent power disruptions. However, after installation of generators at the hospital, patients and their attendants do not have to wait for long before the power supply is restored.
“Our complaints with Hesco regarding power supply are falling on deaf ears,” said a hospital official.
“Power supply is not regular in our area located in the Hirabad sub-division. Over-readings and detection bills have become the order of the day.
The situation in sub-divisions of Phulelli and Latifabad is no different. The power disruptions also cause shortage of water,” said a resident of the Al-Amna Complex. Water supply in areas of Phulelli, Latifabad and other parts was affected on account of power breakdowns at water-works.