Power restored after 3 days

Mumbai: After three days of darkness, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday ordered Reliance Energy to restore power to Chembur's Siddharth Colony, a Dalit locality, and give a three-month extension to its residents. More than 3,400 power connections had been disconnected owing to non-payment of long-pending dues. The decision brought relief to the residents who were struggling with water issues and other difficulties.

“The electricity got restored at around 4.30 pm on Friday, this has brought relief to all of us. Past three days were distressful for all the residents. Also, the water pumps couldn't function in the absence of electricity,” said Vijay Mhaske, a resident from Siddharth colony.

Local MP Rahul Shewale along with Lokesh Khandelwal from Ruparel realty had met Fadnavis to chalk out a solution to resolve the issue. The residents had staged a protest on Tuesday opposing the company's move against the unpaid dues. Electricity bills worth '63 crores were pending from the past nine years. The residents used to pay bills till 2003, post which they discontinued paying bills alleging that the company was not charging as per the readings.

A statement from the Reliance Energy stated, “The private DISCOM serving three million customers in Mumbai's suburbs, resumed power supply to Siddharth Colony, Chembur on Friday after the intervention of Mr Fadnavis. Reliance Energy had discontinued supply to the locality since June 19, 2018, but had continued night time supply on humanitarian grounds.” It further stated, “Federation of the residents of Siddharth Colony, Chembur, has assured Reliance Energy to give an undertaking on Saturday committing to settle their arrears within three months.”