Discom’s unfinished work in DLF leaves residents fuming

Gurgaon: It’s good news when infrastructure gets a revamp. Like the new grid project that promises to reduce power cuts to zero.
But while that grid takes shape, it has brought with it a seris of problems for residents of the DLF phases, like electrical wires lying on the roads, which have been dug up and left like that.
Residents of DLF 1, 2 and 3 told TOI that Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) — under the smart grid project — has dug up several roads in order to shift all high-tension wires underground. The wires too have been kept near these spots, but the workers have vanished for a while, making these stretches unsafe and prone to accidents.
Residents alleged that even after informing the discom officials about the danger lurking in the area, no action has been taken till now.
When contacted the superintending officer of DHBVN, KC Aggarwal, said, “We are aware of the inconveniences caused to residents because of the high-tension wires that are lying at various areas of the city. As the work — laying underground high-tension wires — is very complicated, we have to simultaneously dig up roads at several places and are unable to close all the pits immediately. However, we are trying to cover most of the dug up areas where we have finished work.”
“Last week, a gardener was injured because of the electrical wires lying inside the colony. He didn’t notice the wires and his leg got entangled. Though he received minor injuries but it could have led to something bigger,” said Rahul Chandola, a resident of DLF-1.
Similarly, another resident Vinod Kumar, said, “As it’s raining nowadays, these sites have become more dangerous. In many areas, the water gets accumulated in these side pockets where the discom has carried out the digging work. Anyone can slip and fall into these pits, and that will be dangerous.”
“Despite being informed several times, DHBVN has not removed these wires or built a barricade around it so that people and especially children do not go near these wires,” a resident said. “The entire area has been dug up before monsoon and no one cares for the safety of residents. The discom starts work at one location and moves to a different place. It does not cover the area properly,” said Yogesh Yadav, a resident of DLF-3.
DHBVN officials said that the smart grid project will take at least three years to be completed. “At present the work is only half-way through. Thus, the wires are all over the city,” an official said.