Darkness envelops City

Darkness envelops City
DEccan Herald

Bangalore: Almost all areas in northern and western parts and some areas in the eastern part of Bangalore city were plunged into darkness for more than four hours on Wednesday night due to technical problems in the Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited’s (KPTCL) Hoody power-line and Hebbal power station triggered by Tuesday’s rains.

The problem resulted in the snapping of the link between the Hoody power line, which provides power to most parts of the city, and other lines within the city. It also triggered problems in another 220-KV line in Hebbal, KPTCL officials told Deccan Herald.

As a result, there was no power supply in several areas including Hebbal, Sanjaynagar, R T Nagar, parts of Jayamahal, Peenya, Yashwanthpur, Malleshwaram, parts of Rajajinagar, Basaveshwarnagar, Manjunathnagar, Nandini Layout, Banaswadi, Cox Town, Frazer Town and surrounding areas.

The problem started at around 7 pm. Though engineers of KPTCL swung into action immediately, several areas were without power till 11:00 pm. Several residents called up this newspaper office and alleged that none of KPTCL or Bescom offices were answering their calls.

KPTCL officials suspected that the Hebbal line might have become weak as a result of heavy rains. They said they would get to the root of the problem after restoring power supply. A top-ranking official admitted that the Wednesday’s power problem, the worst of its kind in several years, has exposed the lack of preparedness on the part of KPTCL to face the rainy season.

In fact, the incident has even embarrassed Bescom officials as it is they who are at the receiving end since the residents call Bescom offices and make enquiries.