Power fluctuation bothers residents of Seven Wells

Some locals illegally use domestic connections for construction and commercial activities. Photo: M. Srinath

Residents of Seven Wells near Broadway continue to suffer from rampant voltage fluctuations and frequent power cuts.

The power problems in the locality could be attributed to poor distribution network system, said officials.

Venkatesan, a resident of Pidariyar Koil Street, said residents living in the tail-end of the heavily-populated area suffered from low voltage problems. Open junction boxes with exposed wires and cable wires taped in several places are a regular sight in the neighbourhood.

Residents had been facing the problem for several months but no corrective measures had been taken by officials, said Mr. Venkatesan.

Residents also blamed the numerous unauthorised multi-storey buildings in the area for the surge in power demand.

Many residents said they had asked for ring main units (RMUs) to replace the old distribution transformers on Pidariyar Koil Street and Portuguese Church Road, in order to improve the distribution network.

One particular transformer, outside a school on Portuguese Church Road, needed immediate replacement, they said, as the heavy duty cable posed a risk to students.

Khader Nawaz, another resident, said the local authorities had replaced a distribution transformer with an RMU on 2nd Narayana Street, but were yet to do the same on Portuguese Church Road.

Residents of Pidariyar Koil Street also complained of official apathy to the revenue loss caused by the unauthorised use of domestic connections for construction and commercial purposes in the area.