A summer ordeal

Frequent power disruptions ​seem to have become the order of the day in several parts of the city. While everyone is suffering, the worst​-​affected are students and professionals who work from home.

Students say that they have a tough time completing their projects and studying for exams in summer due to the regular power outages. Ashhar Kamaal, a student, says that the lack of Wi-Fi is one of the biggest challenges during such times.

“I require the assistance of the internet for most of my projects and during power cuts, I have to hunt for a cafe to complete my work,” says Ashhar.

Aafreen Rahman, a student of National Institute of Fashion Technology, says, “These days there’s usually no power when I return home and I always have projects to submit. Some of my family members have to compromise on watching television to help me use the UPS.”  Aafreen lives on the top floor and the heat increases exponentially during summer. “But with the frequent power cuts, it becomes difficult to use fans and air conditioning,” she adds.  

Lubna Parveen, an employee with Oracle and a resident of Indiranagar, says that
she mostly takes work home but the purpose is defeated by the fact that there is usually no electricity from 8 pm to 10 pm.

“I have to either stay back in office or return home only to rush to the nearest internet cafe. This is a regular problem and our complaints to the KEB seem to have fallen on deaf ears,” says Lubna.

The countermeasures adopted include buying a UPS and drastically cutting down on the use of luxury gadgets. Washing machines are used only twice a week while microwave ovens, toasters and other such appliances are given a miss. Shaila Rao, a government employee and resident of Ramamurthy Nagar, says that the power cuts in her area last for at least eight hours. “The UPS can’t hold on for too long. And you can’t use a mixer grinder, a washing machine or a computer while running on backup power. Also, you can use only a limited number of fans and lights,” explains Shaila, adding that the situation is no better when it rains.

“Whenever we lodge a complaint with the local KEB office, we are always told that a transformer has burst. The grievances are never addressed,” adds Shaila.
Among the many Bengalureans who have adopted alternate methods to save electricity is D N V Sandeepani, a resident of SBM Colony in Banashankari First Stage.

He says, “We had power cuts the whole of last week when it rained and these continue even when it doesn’t rain. We have a solar power backup which sustains the use of lights for three to four hours. In fact, my younger son has his exams and has been able to manage only because of this solar light,” explains Sandeepani.