Extended Power Outages Plague Villages in Mullanpur and Nayagaon Regions
Numerous villages and housing societies in the Mullanpur and Nayagaon areas are grappling with extensive daily power cuts, as the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) conducts critical augmentation work on the 66 kV Majra–Mullanpur transmission line. For over a week, residents have endured outages lasting several hours each day, affecting lakhs of people across rural settlements and urban developments.
Affected Areas and Schedule of Disruptions
The power cuts, scheduled from 9 am to 5 pm between March 16 and March 18, impact a wide range of locations. Villages such as Mullanpur, Parol, Teeda, Rehmapur, Sangalan, Ratwara, Toggan, Mastgarh, Kansal, Shivalik Vihar, Dasmesh Nagar, and Karoran are among those affected. Additionally, areas including Nayagaon, Tanda, Tandi, Masol, Kane da Bahra, Perch, Seonkh, Singha Devi, Nada, Shigariwala, and Manohar are experiencing similar disruptions. Housing societies like Omaxe Cassia and The Address are also facing these prolonged outages.
Supply zones connected to the Mullanpur and Seonkh grids are particularly hard-hit, with electricity remaining unavailable during peak daytime hours. The outages began on March 9 with a planned shutdown from 9 am to 5 pm. On March 10 and 11, power was cut from approximately 8:47 am until 5 pm. While residents enjoyed a brief respite on March 12, the disruptions resumed on March 13 from 8 am to 4 pm and again on March 14 from 8:40 am to 5 pm.
Official Statements and Resident Concerns
PSPCL officials have confirmed that the upgradation work will continue until the end of March. They acknowledge the inconvenience caused to residents but emphasize that these improvements are essential to ensure a smoother and more reliable power supply during the upcoming summer months, when demand typically surges.
When questioned about the daily hardships faced by the community, a Nayagaon Sub-Divisional Officer stated, “It is as per higher authorities and published in newspapers.” This response has done little to alleviate the frustrations of local residents.
Darshan Singh, a resident of Nayagaon, voiced the collective anguish, saying, "Villages are facing daily inconvenience. Shops and businesses are suffering, but no one seems bothered here. Does the administration even know about it?" His comments highlight the broader impact on commercial activities and daily life, with many expressing concern over the lack of immediate solutions.
Historical Context and Future Implications
It is noteworthy that rural areas of Kharar have historically been prone to power cuts every summer, making the current situation a recurring challenge for the region. The ongoing PSPCL upgrades aim to address these persistent issues by enhancing the transmission infrastructure, potentially reducing future disruptions.
However, the immediate effect is a significant strain on the local population, with businesses losing revenue and households struggling with basic amenities. As the work progresses, residents are hopeful that the promised improvements will materialize, bringing much-needed relief in the warmer months ahead.
