Lucknow: Amid growing public anger over prolonged power outages and electricity disruptions in Lucknow, the district administration has decided to deploy police and Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) personnel at 31 sensitive electricity substations across the city to prevent protests and maintain law and order.
The decision was taken during a video conference meeting chaired by district authorities along with Madhyanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited Managing Director Riya Kejriwal. Senior officials, including directors and chief engineers, also participated in the review meeting.
Officials said technical staff have been directed to remain on high alert from 10 pm to 6 am to ensure quick resolution of complaints and faults during peak summer demand. The administration has also warned that strict legal action, including FIR registration, will be taken against those attempting to disrupt public order during protests related to the electricity crisis.
The administration’s move comes after several incidents of demonstrations and road blockades near power substations triggered by frequent outages and supply interruptions in different parts of the city.
During the meeting, MD Riya Kejriwal appealed to consumers to use electricity responsibly and conserve power amid the ongoing heatwave. She advised residents to operate air conditioners at temperatures between 25°C and 26°C to reduce pressure on the electricity grid.
She further said that directors and chief engineers would conduct night inspections and continue monitoring the situation until power supply conditions stabilize. Authorities have also intensified anti-power theft drives with the help of vigilance teams in areas reporting high transmission losses and unauthorized electricity usage.
According to officials, PAC and police forces will be deployed at multiple sensitive substations across various zones of the city. In the Gomti Nagar zone, security deployment has been planned at Loulai, Shivpuri, Sector-5, Sector-14 Old, and Kalyanpur substations.
Similarly, substations in Amausi zone including Utrahtia Old, Utrahtia New, Ambedkar University, Chander Nagar, New Alambagh First, Indralok, FCI, Kakori, Dubagga, Shakuntala Mishra, Sharda Nagar, Gosainganj, and Mohanlalganj Old will remain under enhanced security cover.
In the Lucknow Central zone, PAC and police personnel will be stationed at RDSO, Rajajipuram New, Uptron, Noorbari Switching, Azad Nagar, Chowpatia, Mehtab Bagh, Aminabad Old, GTI, and Arjunganj substations. Additional deployment has also been planned in Jankipuram zone at Faizullaganj, Ahibaranpur, Priyadarshini, and New Campus substations.
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Power Transmission Corporation Limited Managing Director Mayur Maheshwari has taken disciplinary action against two officials over lapses linked to the ongoing power crisis. One executive engineer posted in Ghaziabad transmission division has been suspended, while another officer from the western transmission region has been attached to the Meerut headquarters.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is also scheduled to hold a high-level review meeting on the issue of power supply, outages, tripping, and accountability of officials.
Police officials confirmed that a case has already been registered against around 150 unidentified individuals at PGI Police Station for allegedly creating unrest, obstructing government work, and other charges during recent protests against electricity cuts. Authorities said efforts are underway to identify those involved using video footage and surveillance records.
