Lucknow Residents Struggle with Power Outages, Helpline Woes

Lucknow: Despite directives from Ashish Goel, chairperson of UPPCL, urging swift communication regarding power disruptions, residents in various parts of the city continue to grapple with prolonged power outages compounded by difficulties in accessing helpline services for complaint resolution.

Areas such as Balaganj, Mahanagar Extension, Indiranagar, Vikasnagar, and Para are among those experiencing frequent power disruptions, with recent outages lasting hours due to faults in the 11 Kv lines. However, residents faced frustration when attempting to report these issues, as helpline numbers for the Balaganj power station and Madhyanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam remained perpetually engaged. The impact of these outages is keenly felt, particularly during nighttime when temperatures soar, and sleep is disrupted by the oppressive heat and swarms of mosquitoes. Residents, including Topkhana resident Ravi Mishra, lamented their inability to obtain updates or lodge complaints despite repeated attempts to reach out via helpline numbers.

In Mahanagar Extension, where power cuts occurred five times in a single afternoon, residents expressed increasing anxiety over the well-being of vulnerable family members, such as infants, amid the relentless heat. Frustrated by the lack of timely resolution, some residents even contemplated investing in solar panels as an alternative energy source.

The recurring power outages and difficulties in accessing helpline services underscore the urgent need for improved communication channels and proactive measures to address infrastructure shortcomings. As residents endure the dual challenge of power cuts and helpline woes, authorities must prioritize swift action and effective communication to alleviate the hardships faced by the community.