S.A.S. Nagar, May 22- Continuous lack of power supply in Mohali has made life difficult for people. Power has been cut off in many areas for more than 24 hours now, where people are living in complete darkness for 12 to 14 hours as their inverters have also failed. Expressing his anguish over this serious issue, Deputy Mayor of Mohali Kuljit Singh Bedi has demanded immediate action from the Punjab government.
Mr. Bedi said that the government claims to provide 300 units of free electricity, but what is the use of it to the people when there is no electricity. He said that the reason behind these power cuts is acute shortage of staff, inadequate infrastructure and lack of machinery.
He said that power is cut off in many areas of Mohali including newly developed sectors like 76 to 80, 3B1, TDI, Phase 7, Sector 76 to 80. He said that today the people of Mohali are living without electricity in 40 degree heat, due to which the lives of senior citizens, sick people and patients dependent on concentrators, nebulizers etc. are in danger.
He said that the Punjab government talks about recruiting 3000 BBMB employees, but even linemen are not being recruited for Mohali. Temporary workers are climbing electricity poles risking their lives for a salary of 10-12 thousand and they do not even have the necessary safety equipment.
He said that due to heavy power cuts, there is also a big problem in water supply. Large areas of Mohali including Sector 117, 118 and 74A, Phase 3B2 are facing terrible water problem as water boosters are not working due to power outage. He said that some of these areas come under the Municipal Corporation and some are outside private colonies, yet there is a huge problem of water here. He warned that the rainy season is about to arrive and the situation will worsen if the problem is not resolved immediately.
He said Mohali, which is a mini capital, deserves special treatment due to the presence of hospitals, dental facilities and other important departments. He appealed to the government to increase power infrastructure and staff for Mohali, recruit additional linemen, provide safety equipment and ladders, develop infrastructure for new areas and ensure adequate number of staff in each area. He said that due to this negligence of the government, the people of Mohali are now forced to take to the streets.