The power crisis in Gurugram has escalated, resulting in a significant disruption of electricity supply to over 50,000 homes and impacting approximately 1,800 manufacturing units. This situation has arisen due to a strike by electricity employees protesting against the privatisation of power distribution. The strike has left the Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) struggling to manage faults and restore power in the affected areas.

Reports indicate that nearly 98 per cent of the workforce in two circles of DHBVN in Old Gurugram did not report for duty. This mass absence has severely hampered the department’s ability to address ongoing electrical faults and restore normalcy in power supply.

Residents have expressed frustration as they face prolonged outages, with some areas experiencing blackouts for nearly 24 hours. The disruption has also led to challenges in water supply, compounding the difficulties for households in the region.

Extent of Employee Absence in DHBVN

According to data provided by officials from the electricity department, the absence rate among employees was alarmingly high. In Old Gurugram’s Circle 1, 816 out of 826 employees were absent, while Circle 2 saw 540 out of 557 employees not reporting for work. This level of absenteeism has left the department with a skeletal staff to manage the crisis.

The affected localities encompass around 50 areas in Old Gurugram, with residents experiencing varying degrees of power outages. Many have reported that electricity supply has been interrupted since the previous night, leading to significant inconvenience.

Shyamveer Saini, a senior executive engineer in DHBVN’s Circle 1, noted that the absence of trained personnel has made it increasingly difficult to repair faults. He stated that the department is grappling with a rising number of electrical issues, exacerbated by the ongoing strike. The limited staff available for duty are struggling to manage the situation effectively.

Background of the Strike

The strike was initiated in response to the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (HERC) recent decision to grant a private company a licence for electricity distribution in Gurugram and Nuh. This move has been met with strong opposition from the electricity employees, who fear that privatisation may jeopardise their job security and the quality of service provided to consumers.

As the strike continues, the situation remains fluid, with no immediate resolution in sight. The DHBVN is actively seeking ways to mitigate the impact of the strike, but the absence of a substantial workforce poses a significant challenge.

Local authorities are monitoring the situation closely, and efforts are being made to engage with the striking employees to find a resolution. Meanwhile, the residents of Gurugram are left to cope with the ongoing power crisis, hoping for a swift return to normalcy.

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