In Lucknow, there was no electricity in Mahanagar, Vikasnagar and Khurramnagar areas for over 12 hours on June 5. The Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation may have detected 1,645 cases of power theft, lodged FIRs in 886 cases and realised fine of Rs 81 lakh, but when it comes to ensuring adequate power supply in Lucknow, the entire system, barring in VIP areas, there is a long way to go.

With the return of humid conditions in the city, the power supply in a number of areas deteriorated, leaving residents who could afford-to rely on inverters and generators. But these supplements too failed, given the length of the power failure as the inverters too need to be recharged after a period, just as generators need fuel. Residents of Mahanagar, Mahanagar Extension, Khurramnagar, Vikasnagar, Aliganj, Dandaiya, Gokhale Marg and in various parts of old city areas were hit by prolonged power cut 6 to 12 hours on June 5, a day when humidity level was 87 per cent.

Lucknow Electricity Supply Authority said that due to road digging, a 33 kv power cable was damaged, and due to that only it had to resort to power rostering. Restoration works are in the final stage and the situation will improve soon, said the Authority.