Mohali parks still without power

MOHALI: Far from being the future city of Punjab, Mohali is currently battling it out over basic needs like lighting in parks. More than 100 parks in phases I to VII have been without power supply for the last two months, putting residents through a great deal of inconvenience.
The municipal council snapped power to these parks two months back, alleging non-payment of electricity bills ? around Rs 3 lakh - by Greater Mohali Area Development Authority.Senior vice-president of the civic body, Harmanpreet Singh Prince, and resident of Phase III-BI, said, ���Failure to resolve the issue of electricity bills has resulted in the current problem. GMADA had been drawing power for the parks from streetlights run by MC but failed to make payments for the same.���
Prince said that issue was brought to the notice of GMADA but nothing positive came out. ���In the last one-and-a-half years, we have installed three to four lights each in these parks by connecting them with streetlights, but installing separate meters for these is not feasible. We will, however, take up this issue,��� said a senior GMADA official.
PS Virdi, president of Residents Welfare Association, Phase I, said, ���With chain-snatchers already lurking in the area, the reeling darkness has led to fear that parks may become a breeding ground for anti-social elements.���
Lt Col (retd) SS Sohi, patron, Consumer Protection Forum, Mohali, said, ���It has become difficult to go for morning walks because there are no lights, but neither MC nor GMADA is concerned about our problem.���