Concerns are rising about a potential electricity crisis in Lucknow due to the announcement of a work boycott by the Joint Struggle Committee of Electricity Employees, starting May 29th. The Water Works Department has taken precautionary measures by installing diesel generators at all pumping stations to ensure uninterrupted water supply.
Uttar Pradesh: The announcement of a work boycott by the Joint Struggle Committee of Electricity Employees in Lucknow, starting May 29th, has raised concerns among citizens about a potential power shortage. In response, the Water Works Department has proactively installed diesel generators (DG sets) at the city's pumping stations and water treatment plants to maintain continuous water supply. The department is fully prepared to prevent a potential water crisis stemming from power cuts.
Ensuring Water Supply with DG Generators
Kuldeep Singh, General Manager of the Water Works Department, stated that over 70 diesel generators have been rented and deployed across almost all water pumping stations to ensure uninterrupted water supply in the event of power disruptions during the boycott. Additionally, extra DG sets have been installed at the four main water treatment plants to mitigate the impact of any power cuts on water supply. The department has also made special arrangements for water tankers to provide supplementary supply if needed.
Glimpses of the Crisis Before the Power Failure
Electricity supply has already been disrupted in some areas of the city due to faults and outages. On Sunday morning, a technical fault in an underground cable in Viram Khand, Gomtinagar, resulted in a power outage for approximately two hours. The LESA team took considerable time to repair the fault, with power fully restored only after 8 PM.
Similarly, power cuts from morning to afternoon in other parts of the city, including Singar Nagar, VIP Road, Bangla Bazaar, Ashiana Sector J, and Ambika Vihar, caused significant inconvenience to residents during the hot weather. On Saturday night, a one-to-two-hour power outage occurred in the Rajabazaar area due to heating in the LT overhead line, highlighting the deteriorating state of the city's electricity infrastructure.
Electricity Employees' Protest: Struggle Against Privatization
The Joint Struggle Committee of Electricity Employees has announced a work boycott starting May 29th, protesting the privatization of the Purvanchal and Dakshinachal Electricity Distribution Corporations. Employees are united against privatization, warning the government about their demands. They argue that privatization will negatively impact both employee security and consumer service.
This work boycott could affect various services of the electricity department, potentially leading to disruptions in power supply. This is why the Water Works Department has taken special measures to ensure continuous water supply.
Reassuring News for City Residents
The Water Works Department's preparedness has provided relief to city residents amid fears of a power crisis. Kuldeep Singh clarified that there will be no shortage of water supply. With DG sets at all pumping stations and plants, and tankers on standby, water supply will be maintained in any emergency.
He further stated that the department has instructed its employees to take necessary steps to maintain smooth water services even during the boycott. The Water Works Department is fully focused on preventing a water crisis.
