Citizens cry foul over resumed load-shedding

NAGPUR: With load-shedding resuming after a year and a half, and that too with Diwali around the corner, citizens are an unhappy lot. All areas of the city will experience at least 2 hours of load-shedding, sources said.
Residents TOI spoke to expressed their displeasure at the move, even asking whether the festival of lights was meant to be celebrated in darkness this year.
Ravindra Kaskhedikar, secretary of NGO Jan Aakrosh, said MSEDCL under the Congress-ruled dispensation was a total failure. He said, "MSEDCL is not proactive. There is a lack of planning and the power utility is not able to meet the demand."
He pointed out that demand for electricity increases during festive season and with Diwali nearing, load-shedding is not at all justified.
"Who wants to celebrate Diwali in darkness? Are power stations working to their optimum levels?" asked Kaskhedikar.
The power cuts will also cause losses to businesses. Economist Sriniwas Khandewale said, "All businesses will be impacted by the power cuts during festive time. It will dampen the enthusiasm of citizens." Manish Kharpate, who runs a Xerox centre, said that power cuts will mean loss of revenue for him.
The load-shedding is the latest in a series of anti-people decisions. Youth Force president Mikky Bakshi said that the common man is already reeling under rising inflation. "The current government done everything to frustrate the citizens. We knew this was going to happen so we did not dismantle the inverter at our home" he added.
Freelancer Babita Nath claimed that she had spoken to some Mahagenco officials who informed her that the load-shedding could extend up to four hours or even more.
What is even more frustrating is the fact that Vidarbha is a major producer of power. "Nagpur itself is not benefited even though it the region has many power plants," said businessman Anil Wadpalliwar.
Students, including aspiring engineer Chiraayu Hiregoudar, suggested that timings should be fixed for load-shedding in such a way so that studies are not disturbed.
Mehernosh Rana, proprietor of an ice cream shop at Sadar, said, "It's worse than last year. We have to arrange for a backup otherwise our ice creams will go waste."