Transformer down, Ghausnagar in dark for 5 days

ALLAHABAD: Residents of Ghausnagar in Kareli have been living in dark for about five days now just because the transformer broke down and hasn't been replaced yet.Going without power has led to other issues; most people are not getting water as they cannot run their water pumps. However, some people get water supply from Jal Sansthan and are helping out their neighbours.Expressing her ire, resident Kulsum Fatima says, "There's no water in my house as the water pump is not functional, my children cannot student without electricity. It's been five days now, how long am I expected to carry on like this?"Concerned over the apathy of power officials, another Ghausnagar resident, Mohd. Ehtesham, said, "We have been without electricity since the Republic Day. We were assured that the faulty transformer would be replaced that day itself."Hasan Raza said, "It is winter time. Elderly people cannot even use room heaters. It seems like we have been pushed back to medieval ages." While Ghausnagar residents struggle on, the situation isn't any better for those being provided power by other transformers in the Kareli power house area. Residents complain about regular tripping of power. To add to their woes, they claim, their complaints aren't even redressed.Speaking on condition of anonymity, a power department official said, "We are not given general items, like copper strips and safety gloves, for undertaking repair of the transformer."Power department executive engineer MK Agarwal said, "These days, transformers are breaking down quite often and we face problems on getting requisite number of transformer. Despite the problem, we have a policy of replacing the transformer within 24 to 72 hours. We will make arrangements for replacing of the transformer in Ghasunagar on an urgent basis."