NOIDA: As underground power cables in Sector 70 are yet to become operational, around 3,000 residents face frequent outages due to loose overhead cables, open rusted panel boxes and incomplete infrastructure work. Sector RWAs recently took up the issue in a meeting with officials of the power department, who told them that an estimate for connecting underground cables is pending, after which work on that front would start.
Jantar Singh, RWA president of Sector 70, said, “There are 700 plots in the sector, which are 90% occupied. Many residents have built three-four-storey flats on the plots, but the power situation remains dismal. Even though the sector is underground. There are cables, none of them are working yet. Many have been damaged after lying around unused. What is the purpose of an underground cable if one has to take an overhead connection?”
He said, “Residents still get electricity from overhead cables that run for a distance of 200 to 300 metres. However, there is a risk of these cables breaking, leading to power outages. They also cross houses. , thereby creating a messy and dangerous situation.”
In a meeting with electricity department officials, residents raised another issue – encroachment of a 24-metre-wide road by a private builder, who has installed roadside transformers.
“The builder has installed several small transformers on the side of the main 24 meters wide road, which supply power to the nearby Abadiya flats. Often, we see sparks flying over that area, especially during monsoons. With no other place to be found to install these transformers, the builder has easily encroached upon our road,” Singh said.
RM Verma, sub-divisional officer (SDO) of Noida Electricity Department, in-charge of Sector 70, said that the department is looking for solutions to the problems raised by the residents.
“We have looked into the complaints and are working on solutions. In respect of non-functional underground cables, we have made an estimate for their connection work and submitted the same for financial approval. Once we get the approval, we will start work on this front. This will solve the problem of overhead cables in the sector.
On the encroachment on the road, Verma said that he has asked the Sector RWA to apply for the matter. “We will issue a notice to the builder to remove the transformer from the roadside on the basis of that application,” Verma said.
Jantar Singh, RWA president of Sector 70, said, “There are 700 plots in the sector, which are 90% occupied. Many residents have built three-four-storey flats on the plots, but the power situation remains dismal. Even though the sector is underground. There are cables, none of them are working yet. Many have been damaged after lying around unused. What is the purpose of an underground cable if one has to take an overhead connection?”
He said, “Residents still get electricity from overhead cables that run for a distance of 200 to 300 metres. However, there is a risk of these cables breaking, leading to power outages. They also cross houses. , thereby creating a messy and dangerous situation.”
In a meeting with electricity department officials, residents raised another issue – encroachment of a 24-metre-wide road by a private builder, who has installed roadside transformers.
“The builder has installed several small transformers on the side of the main 24 meters wide road, which supply power to the nearby Abadiya flats. Often, we see sparks flying over that area, especially during monsoons. With no other place to be found to install these transformers, the builder has easily encroached upon our road,” Singh said.
RM Verma, sub-divisional officer (SDO) of Noida Electricity Department, in-charge of Sector 70, said that the department is looking for solutions to the problems raised by the residents.
“We have looked into the complaints and are working on solutions. In respect of non-functional underground cables, we have made an estimate for their connection work and submitted the same for financial approval. Once we get the approval, we will start work on this front. This will solve the problem of overhead cables in the sector.
On the encroachment on the road, Verma said that he has asked the Sector RWA to apply for the matter. “We will issue a notice to the builder to remove the transformer from the roadside on the basis of that application,” Verma said.