Residents allege they face continuous power failures because of worn-out distribution lines. The age-old transformers repaired now and then cause voltage fluctuations. They receive estimated bills, as most meters are not in working order.

"These bills are much higher than our actual consumption," said Nazmul Ahsan, a resident from Gandaria.

"Some locals have used illegal electricity connections with the aid of some Desa officials who manipulate the extra charges in our bills," he alleged.

Enraged residents formed an association, Faridabad Kalyan Samity (FKS), to protest persistent power cuts and invited Desa Chairman Abu Alam Mohammad Abdur Rab to a recent discussion. The association leaders informed the chairman that such electricity irregularities and shortage have become a routine occurrence hampering the normal lives of over one lakh residents.

They placed an 11-point demand to regularise the supply and ensure equal distribution of electricity.

"We cannot ensure an uninterrupted supply of water to every household because of low voltage and erratic power supply as water supply system depends on the availability of electricity," said FKS President GM Ansari.

Students suffer most, as they cannot prepare for schools because of the daily power failures. Production in small industries too has been affected, industrialists said.

"We cannot recall when we enjoyed a regular power supply. No complaints can be made as the complaint-booth has no telephone," said Zahurul Alam, a businessman in Postogola.

Contacted, the Desa chairman said: "Estimated bills may differ sometimes, but it is not always exaggerated. We have taken initiatives to address the crisis."

"We have already sanctioned 10 transformers, a land phone for the complaint centre and at least 500 new metres to avoid made-up bills," the chairman said. He denied the allegation of providing illegal lines by Desa officials.

He told Star City that they planned to make a quick survey of the areas to identify problems and will try to solve them soon.