Ranchi Faces Outages As Cable Repairs Disrupt Power Supply
Several areas in Ranchi witnessed power outages on Tuesday as planned underground cable maintenance by the electricity utility disrupted supply to both residential and industrial zones. The recurring power failures, coupled with unplanned cuts, have raised concerns among businesses and consumers over unreliable electricity access during peak demand periods.
The scheduled work was carried out by Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (JBVNL), with teams engaged in maintenance along the 11 KV Chadri feeder linked to the sadar power substation. Between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm, areas such as Thadpakhna, HB Road, Chadri, BSNL and surrounding localities experienced supply interruptions. A similar two-hour disruption affected Anjuman Colony, Konka Road, Central Street, and Church Complex in the morning as maintenance proceeded along the Main Road feeder sourced from the polytechnic substation. Authorities indicated that the maintenance was part of ongoing preparations to fortify Ranchi’s grid against monsoon-related electrical damage. Rainwater infiltration, voltage surges, and feeder overloads have historically triggered severe disruptions during the rainy season, prompting preventive action.
Officials confirmed that out of the proposed 1,658 km of 11 KV underground cable, just 138 km has been installed to date—a clear sign that infrastructure augmentation remains far from complete. Despite official explanations, consumer dissatisfaction is rising. The city has been grappling with erratic supply for months, but recent days have witnessed more frequent outages. While residents bear the inconvenience of blackout hours, industries are grappling with more tangible economic losses. Small and medium-scale manufacturing units, already operating on tight margins, are facing a cascading impact—halted production, idle labour, and missed delivery deadlines. Entrepreneurs across the industrial belts of Hetu and Pandra lamented the growing cost of maintaining diesel-run backup generators. Many small units, especially those without power backups, are being forced to either absorb financial losses or cut working hours altogether.
Rising electricity tariffs add to the burden, with several business owners questioning why reliability continues to decline despite escalating charges.Electricity department officials acknowledged the situation, attributing delays in underground cabling to logistical bottlenecks and budgetary constraints. They reiterated that preventive maintenance is essential to reduce faults during the monsoon. As Jharkhand’s capital expands, the need for a stable and resilient energy infrastructure is becoming increasingly urgent. Experts stress that modern cities require smart, uninterrupted, and inclusive energy access—not just for convenience, but as a fundamental pillar of equitable urban growth.
