The Old City has been reeling under impromptu power cuts at night for about a week. In spite of several complaints to officials of the Central Power Distribution Company (CPDCL), inhabitants have had no relief so far.
Mohammed Ghouse from Shah Gunj said, “There has been no power supply for around two hours between 10 pm and 12 am for the past eight to 10 days. There was a power cut last night from 11 pm to 12 am. Residents of the area registered several complaints at the Charminar office, but after some time, the CPDCL officials are locking the doors. We are fed up.”
According to CPDCL officials, they have been carrying out an emergency load relief due to several issues with 33 KV power lines between Chandulal Ba radari and Khilwat feeders. The affected areas include Charminar, Fateh Darwaz, Khilwat, Chandulal Baradari, Vattepally and parts of Falaknuma, said a CPDCL engineer.
“There was a problem with the feeder at Chandrayangutta which is why we had to transfer the load to the 33 KV lines of Khilwat and Baradari. It is not possible for just two lines to bear such heavy loads. We therefore had to start an emergency load relief. Emergency teams have been pressed into service to address the issues,” a senior CPDCL official said.
The South Circle of CPDCL, which take in large parts of the Old City, apart from Attapur, comprises three divisions ¬ Asmangarh, Charminarand Begum Bazaar.
However, the area has a weak power infrastructure; it has also gained the uncertainity distinction of being recognized as a zone which witnesses rampant power pilferage. CPDCL’s vigilance wing recorded 669 cases of metre tampering last month.