ProMASS News
Agartala, September 29, 2019: After frequent power cuts, a dawn-to-dusk load shedding irked the traders of Kailashahar and irate traders blocked the road as a mark of protest. Several parts of the State including the capital city Agartala is experiencing regular power cuts even as the State Government is trying its best to address the issue. Tripura is a power surplus State, still uninterrupted power supply remain elusive because of multiple factors including outdated technology, opined power department experts.
What ever be the reason, with a dampen market spirit, prolong load shedding has a become major worry for the businessmen. In Kailashahar town under Unakoti district, the main business hub went without electricity from early morning to evening disrupting normal business activities on the eve of Durga puja.
“We tried to communicate with concerned power personnel – but faced humiliating situation while engineers remained unavailable over phone. With no option left, we decided to block the road to draw attention of apathetic power department of the town”, complained traders.
“with stiff competition from online marketing and dampen market sentiments, we are facing a tough situation – and regular power cuts have added salt to wounds”, said one of the agitating trader.
Police intervened and tried to conduct a traders-engineer meeting to address the impasse. After a long wait, Engineer of the Power dept Manas Das extended apology.
“As it was a Sunday, Department started works of connecting underground cables. I forgot, market was open today on the eve of Puja”, he explained.
Although traders withdrew the blockade after obtaining written assurance of regular power supply during Puja, traders vented anger at Engineer’s ignorance relating to standard practice of keeping shops open on Sundays on the eve of Puja .
