Several areas in Delhi continued to reel under massive power outage and water scarcity for the third consecutive day following Friday’s powerful storm. Residents in Najafgarh, Rohini, Uttam Nagar and Outer Delhi said though power supply was restored in their areas late Saturday night, there have been intermittent power cuts ranging from three to five hours.
Power Department officials said though supply has been restored in almost all areas, it will take at least two more days to normalise the operation. Two major 220 KB transmission lines from Bamnauli to Pappan Kalan and Bawana to Rohini grid were severely damaged in the storm because of which supply of power could not be restored in various areas of West Delhi, till late last night. Damage to power transmission network had affected operations at various water treatment plants (WTPs) of Delhi Jal Board (DJB), affecting supply of water in East, West and South Delhi. Officials said DJB was doing its best to ensure normalcy in water supply.
The Power Department on Sunday restored the Mandola-Gopalpur line through Emergency Restoration System (ERS) provided by Power Grid Corporation ltd. The ERS is a temporary tower which is erected pending permanent repair of the damaged tower. “Supply to the affected areas due to 220 kV Bamnauli-Pappan Kalan-I and Bawana-Rohini-II lines have also been restored by making temporary diversions from Bamnauli-Pappan Kalan-I and Bawana-Rohini-II circuits. Four Emergency Restoration Systems (ERS) are being deployed for Bamnauli- Pappan Kalan-I line, as four towers are damaged on this line. ERSes are being mobilised from Hisar and Ballabhgarh to restore this line. Simultaneously, the work has commenced on all the three lines for permanent restoration,” said an official in the Power Department.
Meanwhile, the Congress party has decided to launch an agitation in the city demanding improvement in water and power supply. “People in large parts of the city are struggling to get even a drop of drinking water. The power situation is worsening,” said Chief Spokesperson of Delhi Congress Mukesh Sharma.