Kabulis seek solution to excessive power outages

KABUL (Pajhwok): A number of Kabul residents complain that electricity is not distributed fairly among residents and prolonged power outages have created numerous problems for them, insisting on a solution.

However, the power utility says it is trying to distribute the available electricity fairly.

About three weeks ago, two electricity pylons were blown up in the southern Salang Pass, cutting off power to Kabul and nearby provinces. Officials of the power company said that one of the towers had been repaired and work on the other was underway.

Residents of Kabul say power outages have increased since the incident.

Fazal Hadi, a resident of Kabul, told Pajhwok Afghan News that lopsided distribution of electricity had caused them problems.

"Lately, electricity outages have increased so much. We fetch water using electricity. Sometimes we don’t even have water for drinking at home.”

Mansoor, another resident, told Pajhwok Afghan News they endured hours-long outages since last three weeks.

"We enjoy electricity for two or three hours in 24 hours. Everything is paralyzed without electricity," he added.

Some other residents of Kabul made similar complaints and asked the concerned authorities to solve the problem and distribute electricity fairly among all.

On the other hand, Da Afghanistan Breshna Shirkat spokesman Hekmatullah Maiwandi told Pajhwok Afghan News that the company was trying to distribute electricity to the people in a fair and equitable manner.

He said: "The leadership of Da Afghanistan Breshna Shirkat (DABS) has instructed the Kabul Electricity Department to ensure equitable distribution of electricity in all areas of Kabul

A few days ago, he said, a night operation was carried out by the Kabul Electricity Department in Khair Khana and Chamtal areas and as a result some illegally connected wires and meters were recovered.

He added that night monitoring of electricity in Kabul would continue in the same manner.

For years, the imported power lines in northern provinces have been blown up by landmines, which result in power outages in Kabul and nearby provinces for a long time.

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