Ahsanul Amin George, Khulna :
Load -shedding is going on unabated in south-western region . As such the lives of Khulna city dwellers and also the lives of south-western region of the country have paralyzed. Due to shut down of electric line, the load-shedding is causing unbearable sufferings to the people of 21 districts of south-western region. Besides the service measures of the staffs and officials are unsatisfactory, sources alleged.
Some electric poles are in dilapidated condition. Even the condition of an electric pole in front of the residence of this correspondent at South Pabla Shobuj Shangho road is so miserable for around six months that it may collapse at any moment for which electric connections of some houses would be hampered and lives of pedestrians and any person may destroy for the sudden collapse of the people. The local people submitted an application to the concerned authorities for immediate renovation. Besides, due to non-availability of vertical line in the area, consumers have been suffering for less power. However, these were informed by a written application about six months, but no renovation works were started still till filing this report on Saturday ( October 13, 2018). PDB officials and staffs also have taken snaps of the dilapidated pole after visiting the spot. The large portion of the pole has already broken, but the authorities of West Zone Power Distribution Company Limited (WZPDCL) has no headache in this regard.
When contacted Md. Mahbub, an Engineer of Division-2 of WZPDCL told this correspondent that the Note-sheet was submitted to the concerned higher authorities and the received copy was taken, the Project Contractors will perform the renovation work.
But the authorities, Division-2 of WZPDCL could not ascertain the period when the contractors will start the renovation work of this dilapidated pole.
Kamrul Islam, resident of Khalishpur Housing Estate area said, load-shedding has acutely creating disturbances to the people. Md. Masud Al Hasan, Executive Director (ED) of a sales and supplying establishment named “Alif Trading” which is a garments machinery parts’ selling company told this correspondent that due to repeated load-shedding is severely hampering my business.
Md. Rezaul Karim, a technician, resident of Daulatpur Pabla Notun Rasta area said, We are being compelled to suffer a lot due to repeated load-shedding, I’m not performing my works properly and my children can not continue their studies due to repeated load-shedding.
It is alleged that the electricity staffs are intentionally making artificial electric crisis, creating immense suffering to the inhabitants of Khulna region. As no proper action is taken against the staffs and officials of power sector by its higher authorities, they have been giving untold sufferings to the common people of south-western region, it is also alleged.
Local people further alleged that the staffs who are on duty in the control Room of PDB do not receive the Land phone (T&T) during the urgent periods of the consumers, when some consumers try to connect the control Room of PDB, the duty staffs often pick the receiver of the land phone, what type of serving it is- questioned some aggrieved persons.
West Zone Power Distribution Company Limited is engaged for supplying electricity at 21 districts of the south-western part of the country. Due to shut down of some power units sometimes, desired electricity is not being produced and as such load-shedding is causing distress in this region.
Repeated load-shedding has been causing serious troubles particularly for the students, professional bodies and journalists. Students can not continue their lessons, professional bodies can not do their works properly and journalists can not send important news and photos due to unbearable load-shedding.
Journalists Sheikh Abu Aslam Babu, Ezaz Ahmed, Amzad Hossain, Md. Ruhul Amin, Mamun Sikdar, Shamim Hossain, Hasibul Hasan, Ahad Ali and Md. Sumon told this correspondent that due to repeated load-shedding they could not send news and photos in time.
Sonia Begum, a housewife and resident of Boyra residential area said, My son Rakib who is going to sit for the upcoming SSC exam , can’t take his preparations well due to repeated load-shedding.
Jharna Khandokar, a housewife and resident of Daulatpur Pabla Shobuj Shangho cross road area said, My daughter, studying in class eight whose JSC exam is knocking at the door, can’t prepare her lessons, home-works due to load-shedding.
Sumaya Sultana, a College student and resident of Pabla Sharif Amjad Hossain Road area told this Correspondent that due to repeated load-shedding her studies are hampering.
Some staffs of WZPDCL do not pay any heed to the persons who give complain for electricity. Rather, they often misbehave with the common people. Besides, they shut down the electricity whimsically. Long time’s load-shedding has been suffering acutely.
On condition of anonymity, an Engineer of division-2 said, “We do not shut down electricity intentionally, we do it due to reasonable causes.”
The deficiency of power has been increasing everyday. On Sunday, at 21 districts, demand of power was 1313.09 Megawatt while the supply was only 1037.09 MW on that day, according to WZPDCL sources.
An Engineer of Barisal region said, Load-shedding problem will be reduced gradually after renovation of the closed power units.
Another Engineer of Bheramara in Kushtia region also echoed with the Engineer of Barisal.
For information,this correspondent met Md. Mamunur Rahman, Executive Engineer (Ex-EN) of Division-2 of WZPDCL on Tuesday ( October 16, 2018) afternoon at his office and informed him the matter of dilapidated Pole, but he told this correspondent ( reluctantly and without giving any importance ) that he will inform the matter to the higher authorities later on, at this moment he cannot do anything regarding the renovation of the dilapidated pole.
