New Delhi, May 24 -- After nearly eight years of living in darkness and depending on temporary power arrangements, 36 families in North-East Delhi's Harsh Vihar finally received regular electricity connections on Sunday, with Chief Minister Rekha Gupta personally handing over the connections at the Jan Seva Sadan. The development came after residents raised the issue during a public grievance hearing, prompting the Delhi government to intervene in what officials described as a "mission mode" operation.
The families from Harsh Vihar's A-3 block in Gokulpuri thanked the Chief Minister for resolving what they called a long-pending crisis that had affected their daily lives since 2018. North-East Delhi MP Manoj Tiwari was also present during the programme.
Addressing the gathering, Rekha Gupta said, "The satisfaction visible on the faces of these families reflects how responsive governance and timely action can bring meaningful change to people's lives." She added that the government's objective was "not merely to launch schemes but to address people's real problems and ensure that basic services reach every resident."
According to officials, around 50 to 60 houses had come up in Harsh Vihar's A-3 block by 2018, but residents could not get regular electricity supply because land was unavailable for an Electric Sub-Station (ESS) required for power infrastructure. As a result, many families continued to live without authorised power connections, while others relied on temporary and unorganised arrangements. The Chief Minister said residents had approached her during a public grievance hearing and informed her about the years-long delay in securing electricity connections. Taking note of the matter, she directed officials and concerned agencies to coordinate and resolve the issue at the earliest. Following the intervention, land was arranged for transformer installation and the power distribution company expanded the electricity network across the locality. Officials said electrification work has now been completed and electricity meters are being installed for eligible applicants.
Rekha Gupta said, "Public grievance hearings are not merely a platform for registering complaints but an effective mechanism for ensuring
quick resolution of citizens' problems." She also directed officials to ensure that the remaining families in the area receive connections within the stipulated timeframe.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.