A strike by Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) workers plunged Gurugram, Faridabad, and Nuh districts into darkness since 10 pm on Wednesday, affecting thousands of consumers and industrial units.
There has been no power since 10 pm yesterday. In Faridabad, people in the New Industrial Township-2 area hit the streets, demanding restoration of power supply. The employees had announced the strike to protest against the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission’s decision to grant a parallel electricity distribution licence to a private company for Gurugram and Nuh districts.
In many areas, the breakdown of the power supply led to a shortage of drinking water. Residents say they are managing using water stored in tanks but claim that it will last only a few hours. “Electricity and water are both essential services. Where is the government? Residents are held hostage by DHBVN staff. Either the government should settle employees’ demands or depute the Disaster Management team to restore the supply. Officers are also showing helplessness.
Several residential colonies in Gurugram had to switch to generators as inverter backups ran out, residents said. In such a situation, how will we come up with a solution?” said Shiv Kumar Sharma, a resident. They said the power cut also impacted water supply.
