Residents of Noida may have to face power crisis from Saturday as the Noida Electricity Department has decided to supply 150 MW to the Ghaziabad till Wednesday. Meanwhile, residents of the city have threatened to protest against the recent decision.
The decision came in the wake of four towers of Murad Nagar to Sahibabad line falling near Duhai village in Ghaziabad due to a storm on Thursday evening, causing interruption in power supply across the region. The recent announcement of the Electricity Department will add to the woes of Noida residents as they had already been facing power outages from eight to 10 hours off late and now, both residential and industrial units will face outages between 10 to 15 hours per day.
With the rising temperature, the power supply has been reduced to the tune of 750 MW, while the demand has gone up to 950 MW. With the decision of Noida Electricity Department, total supply in Noida region will come down to 600 MW causing additional power cut in coming days.
According to a senior official, as Ghaziabad is a neighbouring district, we have been directed by the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation limited (UPPCl) to supply electricity from our own share. "We have been asked to share the electricity with the Ghaziabad from Saturday onwards, hence we have announced power cut in Noida region," said Cl Gupta, Superintending Engineer of UPPCl.
Expressing unhappiness over the development, several city-based organisations have raised their concern and have threatened to halt the traffic of the city. "People of the city have already been reeling under massive power shortage, while the competent authority is caring about the neighbouring district. City-based industries are already facing difficulties and the latest decision will affect them badly," said Vipin Malhan, president of Noida Entrepreneurs Association.