Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, is grappling with a deepening power crisis as the Lucknow Electricity Supply Administration (LESA) faces a manpower shortage following the implementation of a new vertical management system. Reports indicate that nearly 300 contractual workers have been removed or sidelined, weakening the emergency response capabilities during peak summer demand. According to Devendra Pandey, general secretary of the Uttar Pradesh Samvida Nivida Karmchari Sangh, the reduction in repair teams has resulted in only one active team available at night, leading to prolonged outages when multiple faults occur. Residents in areas such as Faizullahganj, RDSO, and Alambagh have staged protests due to frequent outages and transformer failures. A senior engineer acknowledged the strain on the system, noting that the reduced number of teams has increased restoration times. The restructuring appears aimed at reducing operational costs, with each repair team costing around ₹36,000 (approximately $435 USD) monthly. However, the new system has also introduced consumer-focused digital services, allowing residents to receive timely outage alerts and assistance through a toll-free helpline.