Mohali Grapples with Prolonged Power and Water Crisis After Severe Storm
A fierce storm has battered Mohali, plunging several sectors into darkness for more than 36 hours and severely disrupting water supply. The situation has sparked widespread concern among residents and drawn sharp criticism from local officials over administrative preparedness and infrastructure failures.
Widespread Power Outages Across Key Sectors
Strong winds and heavy rainfall lashed Mohali, causing extensive damage to power infrastructure. Neighborhoods such as Sector 56 (Phase 2), Sector 61 (Phase 7), Sector 71, Sector 64 (Phase 10), and Sector 65 (Phase 11) remain without electricity. In Sector 61 alone, electricity poles supplying power to 2,871 houses collapsed near the Light Point, leaving residents in distress.
Residents have reported neglect, with no officials from the electricity department arriving for repairs until Saturday afternoon. Professor Balwinder Singh, a local resident, highlighted the delay, stating that repair work had not commenced by 12:15 pm on Saturday.
Resident Frustration and Administrative Shortcomings
In Sector 64 (Phase 10), residents like Sanjeevan Singh and Ranjit Singh voiced similar grievances, noting that no representatives from the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) had inspected the damaged poles. They questioned the administration's readiness, arguing that high electricity bills should correspond with adequate staff and infrastructure.
PSPCL officials, speaking anonymously, admitted that the local division lacks sufficient personnel for major repairs, relying on teams from Patiala for such tasks. This has led to significant delays in restoration efforts, exacerbating the crisis.
Cascading Effects: Inverter Failures and Internet Disruptions
The prolonged power outage has had ripple effects, with inverters in many homes ceasing to function, mobile phones running out of charge, and internet services being disrupted. Residents allege that repeated calls to PSPCL complaint numbers went unanswered, and no repair teams were dispatched promptly.
Furthermore, the power failure has impacted water supply, raising alarms about the functionality of tubewells and booster pumping stations. Michael, Executive Engineer of the Water Supply Department, explained that faults in GMADA power lines and a faulty booster plant generator in Phase 10 have contributed to the water crisis. He assured that repairs are underway and supply is expected to normalize soon.
Official Responses and Criticisms
Mayor Amarjit Singh 'Jeeti' Sidhu, also a councillor from Sector 61, criticized the government for staff shortages, noting that teams had to be called from Patiala due to insufficient local personnel. He emphasized that such delays are unacceptable in a growing city like Mohali and called for immediate action to address infrastructure gaps.
PSPCL SDO (Technical) Amanpreet Singh reported that fallen trees and damaged wires in Phases 1 to 6 have been cleared, restoring power there. However, extensive damage in Phases 10, 11, and Sector 71 has slowed progress. With clearer weather, teams are working to restore supply promptly.
Union Blames Staff Shortage for Crisis
Lakha Singh, President of the PSPCL Workers' Union, pointed to an acute staff shortage as the root cause of the crisis. He revealed that out of 364 sanctioned lineman posts in the Mohali circle, approximately 244 are vacant, leaving consumers to bear the brunt of the inefficiencies. He urged the government to initiate regular recruitment to prevent future incidents.
Deputy Commissioner's Assurance and Future Measures
Deputy Commissioner Komal Mittal acknowledged the damage in five areas of Mohali and assured that joint teams from PSPCL, Mohali Municipal Corporation, and the Forest Department are working to clear fallen trees and restore electricity. She expressed hope for restoration within the next few hours.
On the issue of tree pruning, Mittal stated that the administration is assessing weak and dangerous trees and seeking legal opinions for their removal to mitigate future risks to life and property.
