Massive power outages paralyse Chandigarh, hospitals stop surgeries, traffic lights down

Many parts in Chandigarh faced power outages on Tuesday, a day after employees of the electricity department launched a three-day strike in protest against privatisation.

The outage since Monday night forced government hospitals in the union territory to reschedule surgeries, besides adversely affecting residential, industrial and commercial areas in the city.

The electricity workers are protesting against the privatisation of the electricity department. They went on a strike on Monday night.

Though officials of the Chandigarh administration claimed necessary arrangements were being made to maintain continuity of power supply, residents and traders in many areas of the city complained of outages.

Power disruption has also hit industrial production and manufacturing at some units in the city.

Online classes of students were also affected in many areas in the city. Some coaching institutes even suspended classes for the day because of power outages.

Traffic lights at some intersections were also non-functional because of the outage.

On Tuesday evening, the Chandigarh administration on Tuesday evening enforced the Essential Services Maintenance Act, banning strikes by the electricity department for six months.