Locals grope in dark in MSEDC-CIDCO tussle

Residents of K’ghar building wait for permanent supply

Veda Ramaswamy, Kharghar

May 25, 2011 - DNA Navi Mumbai

Photographer - Veda Ramaswamy, DNA

As many as 10 buildings in sector 30, Kharghar which have been ready for possession since last one year are yet to receive permanent electricity supply from the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) and Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDC). The residents have been provided with a temporary power supply by MSEDC through a commercial connection, but it is costing them exorbitant amounts. Due to this, the residents have been suffering and their repeated attempts to make CIDCO and MSEDC provide them with a permanent connection have gone in vain.

Lotus Apartments, Our Nest, Patil Complex, Simran Pride, Dev Kripa, Sri Kripa, Seven Hills, Bhanu Hills, Sapphire and Ruby are the 10 buildings that are yet to receive permanent electricity in spite of residents beginning to gain possession since the last year. The temporary power supply provided costs around Rs 18 per unit while the normal rate is Rs 1.10 per unit. “My electricity bill was Rs 3000 this month. I do not mind paying if I had consumed so much power, but why should I pay the extra money?” said a worried resident from Sapphire building not wishing to be named.

The temporary electricity supply doesn’t avail the residents’ freedom to use high power consuming appliances like air conditioners or computers. Even the lifts aren’t functional in many of these buildings since they consume a lot of electricity. “Several buildings here are more than five-storeyed. Since the lifts don’t work, residents have no option but to climb the floors. I have even switched off my electric bell to cut down on consumption,” said a Lotus Apartments’ resident. Rehan Bharde, another resident from Our Nest said, “For the initial 1-2 months, we had no electricity supply throughout the day. Only at nights were we fortunate enough to get power. And now the temporary supply has been bothering all the residents since it incurs pointless additional expenses.”

The builders of these constructions have paid the Power Supply Infra Development Charges (PSIDC) to CIDCO required to obtain the infra for these buildings. “All the builders here together have paid Rs 4 crore-Rs 5 crore PSIDC to CIDCO around 7-8 months back. I have the required receipts and files as proof. Despite repeatedly calling CIDCO officials and sending them letters, there has been no action taken yet. The residents of these buildings are suffering since last year as they not only have to bear the inconvenience caused due to erratic power supply but also pay the extra money for the temporary connection,” said Anand Bhandari, a contractor. Bhandari also informed of arrangements being made for connecting transformers to the buildings so that the residents could escape paying such a hefty amount for a basic necessity such as electricity, but there has been no progress on that front either by CIDCO or MSEDC.

Not only are these buildings devoid of permanent power supply, but also various other buildings in sector 20 to sector 40, Kharghar are facing the same problem. “Many buildings are under construction in that area while few are ready but cannot be given for possession to residents since there is no supply of electricity in spite of the builders paying the required amount,” Bhandari added.

The agreement between CIDCO and MSEDC, dated October 27, 2010 is still pending. “The agreement is yet to be signed by CIDCO. They play the role of developers while we play the role of supplying electricity. Once the agreement is signed and approved, only then can we go ahead with providing permanent power,” said DR Saboo, Superintendent Engineer, MSEDC. When contacted, a CIDCO official on condition of anonymity said, “I am aware of the problem. But the Jt MD, CIDCO, Tanaji Satre, is out of town. He is expected to join on June 3. Once he begins his duty, only then can the agreement be signed.”