**Agartala, September 20:** A prolonged power outage in areas served by the Dukli feeder has once again brought electricity supply and maintenance issues into focus in Agartala, with residents seeking faster restoration and better communication from the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL).
Residents said several localities remained without power for nearly seven hours from around 6 am on Saturday. The disruption affected routine household activities and created difficulties for people dependent on electricity for essential work.
The timing of the outage has also raised concern among families, as schools are currently conducting half-yearly examinations. Students preparing for their tests reportedly faced difficulties studying during the extended power cut.
According to residents, the latest disruption is part of a broader pattern of recurring outages in different parts of the city. They have called for closer monitoring and preventive maintenance of feeders, transformers and other components of the distribution network to minimise repeated technical failures.
Consumer concerns extend beyond power interruptions. Complaints regarding electricity bills have also remained an issue, while some residents have questioned the responsiveness of the 1912 electricity helpline during prolonged outages.
Residents alleged that complaints made through the helpline are not always followed by timely responses or adequate information about the cause of a disruption and the likely restoration time. For consumers dealing with lengthy outages, the lack of updates can make the situation more difficult.
The residents have urged TSECL to identify locations experiencing repeated faults and take corrective measures instead of relying only on repairs after an outage occurs. They have also sought quicker deployment of field teams and more effective monitoring of complaints received through the helpline.
Consumers said uninterrupted electricity is particularly important during school examination periods, when students require adequate lighting and other electrical facilities for preparation.
They have called for sustained attention to the distribution network, faster grievance redressal and preventive measures to address recurring faults and reduce the frequency and duration of power disruptions in Agartala.
