Bhatkal: Widespread public anger has erupted in Bhatkal amid frequent and prolonged power outages, with residents struggling to cope with erratic electricity supply during peak summer heat.
Locals have voiced strong dissatisfaction with the Hubli Electricity Supply Company Limited (HESCOM), alleging that officials routinely attribute disruptions to faults in the Sirsi, Kumta, or Honnavar main lines — explanations that many say have become repetitive and unconvincing.
With public pressure mounting, HESCOM Chairman Syed Azeem Peer Qadri is scheduled to visit Bhatkal on Tuesday at the invitation of the local social organisation Majlis Islah wa Tanzim.
According to Tanzeem President Inayatullah Shabandari, the chairman will attend a local programme and hold a meeting with HESCOM officials in Bhatkal. The visit comes at a time when public anger over the ongoing power crisis is at its peak.
The power crisis persists despite the initiation of a 110 kV substation project on Sagar Road nearly two years ago, aimed at stabilising electricity supply in the region. However, progress has reportedly stalled due to disputes with private landowners over the laying of transmission lines required to connect the main line to the substation.
A HESCOM official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the 33 kV grid in Heble is currently operating beyond its capacity due to excessive load on installed converters. As a result, load shedding in rural areas has become unavoidable to manage the demand.
Residents, however, allege that such explanations are routinely used to justify unannounced power cuts at any time of the day or night. They point out that irregular load shedding has significantly increased hardship, particularly for the elderly and children amid prevailing heatwave conditions.
Assistant Executive Engineer Manjunath of HESCOM said that additional transformers are currently being utilised in Sirsi, necessitating load shedding in Bhatkal and surrounding areas. He further revealed that certain private landowners have approached the High Court seeking a stay on the construction of transmission towers for the 110 kV line.
As an alternative, authorities have proposed drawing a transmission line from Byndoor. However, the plan remains pending, awaiting clearances from the Forest Department and approval from the Power Corporation.
All eyes are now on the chairman’s visit, with residents expecting concrete measures to address the long-pending power issues.