
Mullanpur, Zirakpur residents endure 12-hr power cuts
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
In Mullanpur, the blackout on Tuesday lasted around 12 hours. Manish, a resident of one of the societies, said, "We had no power for the whole day, and the promoter ran generators which cost us Rs 28 per unit for using air-conditioners."
Mullanpur executive engineer Taranjit Singh attributed the outage to a fault in the underground power cable. "We replaced two kilometres of cable, which took nearly 12 hours. The work was also delayed due to rain," he said, adding that the disruption was unrelated to the ongoing power workers' strike.
"PSPCL has adequate manpower to address complaints promptly," he asserted.
Zirakpur also experienced widespread outages. Many societies, including Jaipuria Greens and Maya Garden on VIP Road, remained without power from Monday into Tuesday for up to 14 hours. In Lohgarh, electricity went off at around 4:30 pm on Wednesday and was restored around 7 pm.
Residents complained that such cuts have become routine in the township. "Power interruptions happen regularly here, and there's little long-term solution in sight," one resident remarked.
While PSPCL officials maintain that the Mullanpur disruption was purely a technical snag, the recurring outages in both towns have left residents frustrated, especially during peak summer heat.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Nuh hazard: Burning chemical waste pumps toxins into NCR airshed
Night after night, thousands of tonnes of chemical waste are set afire in kilns fashioned within the folds of Aravali terrain on the Rajasthan-Haryana border in Nuh, sending a stream of toxins into the same Delhi-NCR airshed that four state govts, the Centre, Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal have been trying to clean up through a series of extensive and expensive measures that have yielded limited results. While GRAP (graded response action plan) and the NGT-imposed age cap for diesel and petrol vehicles both have costs for people, that collective effort is being undermined by large-scale burning of industrial waste. The waste comes in at night primarily from Rajasthan through transporters, a nexus that thrives because factory owners want to avoid the cost of legal disposal (Rs 10–20 per kg) and go to middlemen instead. Most of the kilns that burn this industrial waste – comprising chemically treated industrial scrap, plastic and rubber – are in the villages of Khori Kalan and Khori Kurd in Nuh. At the kilns, and in open pits, chemical waste is mixed with wood and set alight. At a spot in Khori Kalan, around 2,000 square metres of Aravali land has been singed by night burning of waste. There's no fire to be seen in the morning, but it registers its invisible presence in the air, through a pungent cocktail that irritates the respiratory tract as one approaches. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Could This NEW Collagen Blend Finally Reduce Your Cellulite? Vitauthority Learn More Undo You Can Also Check: Gurgaon AQI | Weather in Gurgaon | Bank Holidays in Gurgaon | Public Holidays in Gurgaon | Gold Rates Today in Gurgaon | Silver Rates Today in Gurgaon "This is an environmental emergency. We have been suffering for the last 15 years. Recently, the burning activity has increased," said Ahmed, a resident of Khori Kalan. In a way, the industrial refuse in these parts is a byproduct of pollution policies adopted over the decades. As 'red' category heavily polluting industries were moved out of NCR cities, they shifted base to places like Bhiwadi, creating a new hotspot of severe industrial pollution. "There are influential people who are in this business. Every night, small fires across the villages are seen, which is deteriorating living conditions for us," said Ushmeed, another resident. Transporters and kiln owners, sources said, earn Rs 2–5 per kg for handling hazardous waste, accumulating into a sizable black-market economy. "Factories need us because what we charge is much cheaper for them. Even if it's Rs 5 per kilo, it adds up by the end of the month. By the end of the night, it adds up. Everyone knows it's illegal, but the money keeps the cycle going," said a local transporter involved in the trade. "On an average night, there are 10 to 15 trucks or tractor-trolleys coming into these villages. These are small trucks carrying around 10 tonnes each. They bring the waste in drums. We unload fast and dump it in pits. By morning, most of it gets burnt," said another transporter at Khori Kalan. In both villages, evidence of this hazardous burning is plentiful. On the foothills of the Aravali hills, industrial plastic and other waste lies strewn over several spots, waiting to be incinerated. At a place in Khori Kurd, drums are neatly stacked in rows, ready for disposal. Akanksha Tanwar, HSPCB's regional officer (Nuh), said all the waste comes from Rajasthan. "Waste is transported from industrial hubs in Rajasthan's Bhiwadi, Khush Khera, and Dharuhera. We have already written to the Rajasthan pollution board to take up the matter," said Tanwar. The forest department, meanwhile, filed three complaints on June 27 with Tauru Sadar police station against Om Cargo Logistics, PG Technoplast Pvt Ltd, and Gracure Pharmaceuticals Ltd for illegal dumping. Sources said there is some industrial waste that also comes in from industries in and around Manesar. "We have also filed two FIRs, issued a damage report and written to the district administration about the issue. The waste needs to be cleaned by the municipal corporation, panchayats, and the district administration. We carried out an evaluation of the damage from waste burning and dumping in Aravalis as well," said a forest official. Nuh resident Usman Khan filed a public interest litigation (PIL) before the Punjab and Haryana high court last year, alleging local disposal units were receiving plastic and metal drums filled with chemical waste, scrap and rubber, which were then manually segregated and burned, generating a charred residue called 'gulla' that is sold as fuel. The petition is pending. Gulla is used as a low grade substitute for coal by roadside eateries and to operate small furnaces. Vishram Meena, deputy commissioner of Nuh, said a probe is under way and all relevant departments have been alerted to the issue. "A five-member fact-finding committee was formed, including officials from the SDM's office, forest department, police and pollution control board. Investigations revealed that five companies from Bhiwadi were involved in dumping hazardous waste in Khori Kalan and nearby areas. During the investigation, the trolleys contained evidence, including discarded packaging and chemical drums, that helped trace the waste back to industrial units in Bhiwadi. We have been taking action to restore the area and curb illegal practices." Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.


Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
MC to install flow meters at STPs for real-time sewage monitoring
Chandigarh: In a significant step towards enhancing liquid waste management, the Municipal Corporation (MC) is installing flow meters at all six sewage treatment plants (STPs) under its jurisdiction. These meters will enable 24/7 monitoring of sewage flow and provide real-time data on the quantity of sewage being treated. The public health wing of the MC has awarded a Rs 70 lakh tender to a Delhi-based firm, with the installation expected to be completed by the end of August or early September. Senior MC engineering officials are directly supervising the project. This initiative gains importance as Chandigarh is scheduled to appear before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in September to present its progress on solid and liquid waste management. The administration is required to submit a detailed report outlining the steps taken and the status of previous initiatives. Sources in the MC stated, "With the NGT closely monitoring liquid waste management, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee (CPCC) will be given direct access to the flow meter data. This will allow them to monitor sewage flow in real time without any intervention." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Berkshire Hathaway: American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends These 5 Books For Turning Your Li... Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The city's Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) will oversee the flow meters, ensuring seamless access for all agencies concerned. The goal is to maintain transparency and facilitate easy monitoring by any authorised body. Treated sewage for non-potable use According to MC records, Chandigarh generates approximately 50 to 52 million gallons per day (MGD) of sewage. Of this, around 20 MGD is treated and supplied as tertiary treated (TT) water for non-potable use across hundreds of government and private buildings. The MC is actively encouraging more residents and institutions to adopt TT water connections to reduce the burden on potable water resources. Box: STPs in Chandigarh STPs--------------------------------Capacity Raipur Kalan-------------------5 MGD Raipur Khurd-----------------2 MGD Diggian-------------------------30 MGD Dhanas--------------------------1.75 MGD 3BRD----------------------------11 MGD Maloya--------------------------5 MGD MSID:: 123334661 413 | Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.


New Indian Express
7 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Uttarakhand rains: 245 villages affected in 14 Years; govt spends Rs 111 crore on rehabilitation
DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand is reeling under the devastating impact of the annual monsoon season, with 245 villages ravaged by landslides, floods, and cloudbursts over the past 14 years. This translates to an alarming average of 17 villages lost each year, forcing thousands from their ancestral homes. The human cost of this recurring natural fury is immense, compounded by property losses running into crores of rupees. Families are routinely uprooted, compelled to abandon their homes and seek refuge in safer locations. So far, the state government has undertaken rehabilitation and displacement procedures for 2,629 affected families. "The scale of this challenge is unprecedented," remarked a senior official from the State Disaster Management Authority, speaking on condition of anonymity. "We are not just managing disasters; we are constantly relocating entire communities. The financial burden is substantial, but the safety of our citizens is paramount." Indeed, the financial strain on the state exchequer is significant. More than Rs 111 crore has already been expended on the displacement and rehabilitation of affected families. For the current fiscal year (2025-26), a budgetary provision of Rs 20 crore was made for the rehabilitation and relocation of disaster-affected villages. To date, Rs 11.44 crore has been released, facilitating the rehabilitation and displacement of 255 families across 12 villages.