Local activists have urged the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) to reschedule its weekly Monday maintenance power shutdown from peak business hours to early morning in order to minimise disruption to commercial activity and public life.
In a letter addressed to the PSPCL Chairman, Yogesh Kamra, general secretary of Amritsar Vikas Manch and convenor of the Fly Amritsar Initiative, expressed concern over the corporation’s practice of carrying out major maintenance work on Monday between 10 am and 5 pm.
Kamra acknowledged the importance of regular maintenance for ensuring the reliability and safety of the power distribution network, but argued that the timing of the shutdown causes significant inconvenience to businesses, offices and consumers.
He stated that Monday is a crucial working day when commercial establishments, corporate offices and service providers set the pace for the week, and prolonged power cuts during the business hours adversely affect productivity.
According to the memorandum, thousands of businesses are compelled to depend on diesel-run generators to continue operations during the seven-hour outage. This, Kamra said, leads to substantial additional expenditure at a time when fuel prices remain high, placing an unnecessary financial burden on traders and entrepreneurs.
He also highlighted the environmental impact of prolonged generator usage, noting that the operation of hundreds of diesel-powered backup systems across urban areas contributes to air and noise pollution, affecting public health and the environment.
As an alternative, Amritsar Vikas Manch has suggested that PSPCL shift maintenance activities to early morning hours, preferably between 4 am and 8 am, or undertake such work during low-load periods on weekend.
Kamra maintained that such a move would significantly reduce inconvenience to consumers while allowing maintenance work to be completed effectively. He also pointed out that lower ambient temperatures during the early morning hours can help reduce thermal stress on electrical equipment during maintenance and testing.
The organisation has requested the PSPCL to consider launching a pilot project in Amritsar district to assess the feasibility and benefits of early-morning maintenance schedules.
Kamra said the proposal seeks to strike a balance between the technical requirements of the power utility and the economic interests of businesses and consumers, while promoting a more consumer-centric approach to utility management.
