Hyderabad, known for its bustling streets and vibrant culture, is grappling with a contentious issue as the monsoon season approaches: power outages.
The Southern Power Distribution Company of Telangana Limited (TG-SPDCL) proudly asserts a substantial decrease in power cuts, citing a 43.5% reduction in the duration of outages at the 33kV level from January to May compared to the previous year. However, residents beg to differ. Despite TG-SPDCL’s assertions, Hyderabad’s inhabitants voice a different reality. Many report a surge in power cuts over the past six months, regardless of weather conditions. While acknowledging the discom’s efforts, residents stress the inconvenience and disruption caused by prolonged blackouts.
According to TG-SPDCL, the average duration of power cuts per 33 kV feeder per month has decreased significantly, from 47.3 minutes to 26.7 minutes. Similarly, for 11-kV feeders, the average interruption duration has reduced from 17.16 minutes to 13.31 minutes. However, these statistics clash with the experiences of those on the ground. One resident expressed frustration, highlighting the challenges faced during power cuts, particularly at night. For households with elderly members or medical dependencies, uninterrupted power supply is crucial. The inconvenience is amplified in high-rise buildings where elevators cease to function during outages, posing risks during emergencies.
In response, TG-SPDCL points to external factors such as falling trees and debris, which occasionally disrupt power lines during inclement weather. The discom asserts proactive measures, including tree pruning, to mitigate such incidents. The discord between TG-SPDCL’s claims and residents’ experiences underscores the complexities of ensuring reliable electricity supply in urban areas. As Hyderabad prepares for the monsoon, bridging this gap between official reports and ground realities remains imperative for ensuring uninterrupted power to its citizens.
