NO POWER, NO STUDIES

NO POWER, NO STUDIES

Blackouts rob precious study hours of students. And yet again, the energy minister breaks his promise to help them this exam season

TIMES NEWS NETWORK


Bangalore: With board exams on, students are finding it difficult to cope with studies, thanks to frequent power cuts. Every day in many parts of the city, power goes off without intimation at any time of the day or even late at night.
“My kids are unable to study properly because of recurring power cuts. Even generators and emergency lights are failing to compensate,” Jayanagar resident Suresh B told TOI. “They find it difficult to concentrate. I can only request the authorities to ensure uninterrupted power supply.”
Although many residential colonies face power cuts, some areas such as the road in front of Basavanagudi police station is properly illuminated. “That place looks like a street in Singapore,” said 1st Stage, Banashankari resident Hema Ahipathi. “But we get no power supply. The electricity corporation is wasting resources by diverting power to where it may not really be needed,” she explained.
“Most street lights in the city are switched on as early as 5.30 pm and the authorities do not take steps to switch off after 6 am, sometimes till early afternoon.” Hema’s children will take the board examinations, and she is worried about frequent power cuts at midnight. “If they cut power during the day, it is manageable. But the situation is bad at night. My children can’t study properly,” she said.
WHY POWER CUTS?
Bescom says it uploaded a list on its own website explaining power cuts during specified hours in different areas. “Power supply works on a rotational basis in various divisions, namely east, west, north and south,” an official said.
While some areas get power for certain hours, other areas don’t get it simultaneously as per the rotational plan. “We’re able to supply electricity through this method to all parts of the city,” an official said.
Bangalore consumes more than 130 million units per day, and supply hovers between 120 and 125 million units per day. “It’s this shortfall that is being made up through rotation and distribution.”
Lights out Power goes off without intimation at any time of the day or even late at night Those preparing for the board examinations affected the most Parents worried about their wards being unable to concentrate on studies at night
Waste of resource Most street lights in the city switched on at 5.30 pm and not switched off after 6 am, sometimes till early afternoon
How Bescom manages it
The city consumes more than 130 million units per day. Supply hovers between 120 and 125 million units per day. This shortfall is being made up through rotation and distribution