Punjab Newsline
Power shortage in Haryana posing law and order problem
VINOD KUMAR GUPTA
Saturday, 20 June 2009
KURUKSHETRA: The power shortage of 200 lakh units in Haryana is posing a serious law and order problem. Blocking of traffic on highways by irate villagers has become a routine in many parts of state.

The residents of 15 villages blocked Kurukshetra Jhansa road at Chhiba protesting against unscheduled power cuts. They alleged that they are getting only two hour supply daily and that too in installments against schedule of 8 hours. Long queues of vehicles could be seen on both sides of Chhiba. The blockade was lifted after the executive engineer reached site after 4 hours and assured the villagers that they would get 6 hour continuous supply.

On Thursday the residents of Bhana village blocked the road by putting tractors on the road for 22 long hours protesting against the power utility for inadequate supply. The blockade was lifted after work of supplying power to their village from nearby sub station in Karora village was started.

The erratic power supply in last fortnight has affected water supply in villages. The power cuts in major cities is around 10 hours daily while it is more than 12 hours in smaller towns like Shahbad Markanda.

According to sources the power demand in state has touched 1142 lakh units against supply of 942 lakh units leaving shortage of 200 lakh units. The thermal units in the state are producing 373 lakh units. The Panipat thermal unit no. 5 which is under annual maintenance is likely to come up tomorrow.