Panchkula: In view of the statewide strike called by the Haryana Bijli Karamchari and Engineers Sanyukt Sangharsh Morcha of the power utilities of Haryana from Oct 22 to 24, the district administration has established a control room at the DC Camp Office in Sector 1. The move aims to ensure effective coordination and prompt response to any eventuality during the strike period.The district control room will remain operational till Oct 24 or until normalcy is restored. It will receive information regarding incidents or developments relating to law and order, disruption of essential power services, security of critical power installations, and any other issue requiring the intervention of the district administration.The control room will maintain close coordination with sub-divisional magistrates (SDMs), duty magistrates, police authorities, tehsildars, block development and panchayat officers (BDPOs), and power utilities and departments concerned to ensure timely communication and appropriate action.Any information requiring intervention at the field level will be immediately conveyed to the concerned authority for necessary action.The district control room can be contacted at 0172-2585777.Despite the preparations, residents are bearing the brunt of the strike, with electricity and water supplies disrupted in several areas.Rakesh Aggarwal, a resident of Sector 12-A, said, “Electricity went off around 11am and was restored around 5pm. Due to this, water supply started at 6pm. Usually, it is supplied at 4:30pm. In shops, there is a risk of vegetables, milk, butter and paneer getting spoilt due to the long power cuts.”“There is no clarity. At least the department concerned or the govt should keep residents informed about the frequency and duration of power cuts. The strike should not go on, as common people are suffering,” said Sulekha, a Sector 9 resident.Sudhakar Tiwari, superintending engineer (operations) of the power department, said power supply issues had cropped up because engineers were also on strike. “However, in our area, we have a 98% controlled situation,” he said.
