Lucknow: Power Complaints On 1912 To Get Faster Fix With New 'Help Vans'

Efforts to introduce a new electricity system in the capital, Lucknow, have gathered pace, with the new "vertical format" system set to be implemented from November 15.

Under this system, the practice of linemen arriving by bicycle will end. To fix electrical faults, a departmental van or a half-truck  will be dispatched. This vehicle will carry a team comprising technical staff as well as labourers.

New Repair And Feedback Process

The new system outlines a specific protocol for handling complaints:

- Upon reaching the concerned area, the team will first take a shutdown (temporary power cut).

- They will then climb the electricity pole to carry out the repair work.

- After completing the job, the team will post a photo of the site to a departmental group to report that the problem has been resolved.

- Consumer feedback will also be taken.

- Every consumer who registers a complaint on the toll-free number 1912 will receive a message informing them that their problem has been rectified.

Official Confirmation And Resources

Riya Kejriwal, the Managing Director of Madhyanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited, stated that all preparations for the new system are complete. Staff, from engineers to clerks (babus), have been deployed in all zones.

Phase 1: The system will launch with 28 help vans.

Phased Increase: The number of vans will then be increased to 56 in a phased manner.

Future: The MD noted that if more help vans are needed, an increase could be considered after a study.

The objective of this new system is to ensure a team reaches the complaint site shortly after a consumer registers an electricity-related issue.

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The Challenge: 1.5 Million Consumers And Summer Load

Managing the capital's 1.5 million electricity consumers will be a significant challenge for the new system.

Currently, from November to February, electricity-related complaints decrease significantly. Consumption is half of what it is in the summer, and the number of faults remains around 30 per cent. Transformers and aerial bunch cables rarely burn out from overload during this period.

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However, from April onwards, faults typically double. It remains to be seen how the new vertical arrangement will perform during the upcoming summer and at what pace complaints will be resolved.