Pune’s pivotal IT and industrial hub, affecting over 52,000 electricity consumers since Sunday afternoon. The disruption, stemming from a critical fault in an underground power line managed by Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company Limited (MahaTransco), has severely impacted industrial operations while low-voltage domestic supply has largely been restored. This incident highlights critical vulnerabilities in urban energy infrastructure, demanding robust resilience measures for sustainable and equitable city development.
The widespread power disruption, which commenced around 2:10 PM on Sunday, followed scheduled maintenance work completed by MahaTransco on the 220 kV Infosys–Pegasus ultra-high voltage underground line near the Hinjawadi Phase-2 Metro Station. Upon system restart, a major fault developed, crippling the power supply to 91 high-voltage industrial consumers and more than 52,000 low-voltage users, including residential and commercial connections. The outage notably impacted approximately 20,000 consumers in the Pimpri division and 32,000 in the Mulshi division, affecting key areas such as Xrbia Society, Kolte Patil Township, Marunji, Maan, Jambe, Nere, Dattawadi, and crucial IT and industrial zones like Hinjawadi MIDC, Wipro Circle, Raisoni Park, and the Dohler Company.
Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) responded with a “war-footing” approach, initiating emergency plans to restore power through alternate lines even before MahaTransco formally declared the fault. By 10 PM on Sunday, supply to around 2,000 consumers was reinstated, with full restoration for all low-voltage consumers achieved by 4 AM on Monday. Senior officials, including Chief Engineer Sunil Kakade, personally oversaw the coordination efforts, leveraging field teams and re-routing 25 feeders of 22 kV capacity. While their rapid response mitigated a complete crisis for residential areas, the incident underscores the complex interdependencies within the power supply chain.
Despite these concerted efforts, the impact on high-voltage industrial consumers remains significant, with companies like Infosys and Nextra, classified as ultra-high voltage users, still awaiting full power restoration. The challenge lies in the inadequate load capacity of alternate supply routes, necessitating further strategic planning and infrastructure load balancing by MSEDCL to cater to these major industrial players. This prolonged disruption to critical businesses in an economic powerhouse like Hinjawadi not only translates into substantial financial losses but also raises pertinent questions about business continuity planning and the overall energy security for a burgeoning digital city.
The incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced infrastructure resilience in high-growth corridors. Such power cuts, even if temporary, often lead to increased reliance on diesel generators, contributing to higher carbon emissions and air pollution, thereby directly contravening zero net carbon and eco-friendly city objectives. Furthermore, unreliable power supply can disproportionately affect smaller businesses and home-based workers, impacting economic equity. For Pune to solidify its position as a smart and sustainable urban centre, transparent maintenance protocols, seamless inter-agency coordination between transmission and distribution utilities, and strategic investments in resilient grid technologies are paramount to ensure uninterrupted, equitable access to energy for all stakeholders.
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