Chandigarh, May 23 -- Though the storm may have passed, Chandigarh residents' power woes linger, with many expressing displeasure over the functioning of the new firm responsible for distribution and supply of electricity in the city. The firm, Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited (CPDL), had taken over the city's electricity department and its operations in February this year. Rajesh Rai, vice-chairman, CRAWFED, and president of RWA Sector 43 B, Chandigarh, said, "Unscheduled power outages have become a recurring issue in the city even since the private company has taken charge. The first instance of heavy rain and strong winds in the city exposed the firm's inability to effectively manage power supply." In Sector 39-C, the situation is downright hazardous. RWA Sector 39-C president Jagtar Singh Chaunta said, "There are high-tension wires entangled in tree branches near the forest area. Even a mild breeze causes sparks with loud crackling sounds. Many times, wires snap and fall while still live, putting lives at risk. I've raised complaints multiple times, but the authorities remain indifferent." Congress deputy mayor Taruna Mehta also wrote a letter to Punjab governor and UT administrator Gulab Chand Katarai on Thursday and complained against electricity supply issues in Chandigarh post-privatisation. "Since the responsibility for electricity supply has been handed over to a private company, CPDL, the quality of services has significantly deteriorated. Frequent and prolonged power outages have become a daily issue. Residents of Sector 20 and Sector 30 have been struggling with electricity problems for over a month now. It appears that this company is operating solely with the motive of making profits," Mehta wrote in the letter. On Wednesday night after the storm, power disruptions were reported at several places, including Sectors 8, 15, 27, 34, 35, 37, 38, 41, 43, 44, 46, 47, 49, Khuda Lahora and parts of Manimajra, due to snapped power cables. In Sector 22, electric poles reportedly broke at two locations. CPDL director Arun Kumar Verma said, "This was an unforeseen, high-intensity storm. Our teams were mobilised immediately and were able to restore power within hours."...