Amid Frequent Power Cuts, UP Family Seeks Shelter In ATM; Here's What Akhilesh Yadav Said On Viral Video

A family in Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi, reeling under scorching heat with frequent power cuts adding to their plight, took shelter in an ATM booth to escape the hot weather.

A video of locals resting inside the ATM booth has gone viral on social media. The video has attracted the attention of many users, with even former UP CM and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav sharing it and criticising the state's electricity department.

Sharing the video on X on Wednesday, Akhilesh Yadav wrote: "Bijli katauti ke maare, ATM ja pahunche bechare. UP Electricity Department, jiski khud ki batti gul hai. Koi hai?"

A woman seen in the video told the media that her locality has been facing prolonged power cuts for the past month. She said her entire family came to the ATM as it was the only place with uninterrupted electricity and air conditioning. She added that nobody had stopped them so far, but if they were barred, they would have to sleep on the road.

Notably, residents of Jhansi have grown increasingly frustrated with power outages. The situation has worsened to the point where people are staging street protests against electricity cuts, resorting to hunger strikes and road blockades. Power cuts are widespread across many areas of the city, including from BKD to Ashik Chauraha, Mission Compound, and Nai Basti.