In a move aimed to win favour with the residents of Gurgaon, the Haryana government plans to spend Rs 7,000 crore for a smart grid project to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the city. For residents used to living under the constant threat of long power cuts, this could come as a much-awaited breather.
The project, planned keeping in view the present and future power needs of the city, will put an end to the trend of diesel use through generators. This will not only prove beneficial for the environment, but also put an end to the tyranny of builders in power supply.
According to officials, this project — involving an investment of Rs 1,382 crore in its first phase — could become a milestone in the way power is supplied in the country. It could very well script the story of Gurgaon’s transformation.
The city has had to always grapple with a severe power crisis. More than 100 residents of Sushant Lok I organised a protest in front of the house of SLRWA (Sushant Lok Residents’ Welfare Association) president after the discom disconnected power to submersible pumps and street lights in the area, allegedly due to non-payment of dues.
“We have been facing a severe water crisis due to non-payment of power bills by the RWA and the maintenance company. We are sick of false promises made first by the maintenance company and then by the RWA. I am sure the maintenance charges paid by residents are being misused by these two bodies,” said Anshul, a resident of Block C of Sushant Lok I.
The residents allege that both the developer and the civic authorities have failed to provide services, even with residents paying hefty maintenance charges. “Neither the private developer nor the civic authorities have showed any interest in addressing the issues so far. Let’s see what this project spells for the residents,” said Gyan Parkash Garg, a resident of DLF I.
Neena Khanna, an NRI and owner at Uniworld Garden, told City Spidey, “These plans by the government were supposed to be implemented five years back. But even then we are happy if the government has finally taken notice.”
