Meerut, May 26 -- Electricity-related problems continue to plague Meerut and adjoining rural areas, with traders now warning of a severe impact on businesses and industrial production. On Monday, a delegation of the Joint Trade Association met Paschimanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (PVVNL) managing director Ravish Gupta to highlight the worsening power crisis and the hardships being faced by the business community. Led by Joint Trade Association president Naveen Gupta, the delegation reached the PVVNL discom office. During the meeting, traders expressed serious concern over frequent and unscheduled electricity cuts across Meerut city as well as rural areas. Gupta said the deteriorating power supply situation has badly affected the entire business sector, with several industries witnessing halted production and many smaller businesses nearing closure. "Large factories have stopped production due to prolonged outages. Customers are also avoiding markets because of the irregular electricity supply, leaving commercial areas deserted," Gupta told the officials. The traders further complained about the lack of communication from the electricity department during maintenance shutdowns. According to the delegation, an earlier system under which consumers received prior SMS alerts about scheduled maintenance cuts has virtually collapsed. "Now, power cuts happen without any notice. Consumers are left clueless about the duration or reason behind the outages," trader leaders said during the interaction. Joint Trade Association vice-president Tarun Kumar Gupta also raised concerns over the alleged unresponsiveness of power department officials. Traders urged the PVVNL management to streamline electricity supply, restore communication systems for maintenance updates, and ensure accountability among field officials to prevent further damage to trade and industry in the region....