LAHORE, June 17: The distribution system of the Lahore Electricity Supply Company (Lesco) sustained 12 major breakdowns and around 300 minor trippings during the last 24 hours , which were in addition to a three-hour breakdown due to a fault at the 500MW Gatti-Lahore line.

The Lesco distribution system seems to have collapsed during the last few weeks, said an irritated consumer. The kind of service Wapda is providing hardly matches the bills that it sends to consumers, he added.

During the last few weeks, trippings and fluctuations have made life difficult. All electronic gadgets face a real threat of damage because of the wild fluctuations.

The most tragic part of the whole situation is that no one seems to be listening to the complaints. All newspapers are full of reports about trippings, breakdowns and fluctuations but Wapda and Lesco are either unable or unwilling to listen to them, he said.

Another consumer from the canal road, who claimed to have suffered a 12-hour breakdown, said: "The company used to put all the blame on kite-flying. Now, when the kites are not flying, it has chosen to blame the increase in load.

Even if it's true, who is supposed to plan for it and keep the system running. It is a lame excuse. The company should rather try to improve its system than find such unsustainable excuses."