Mumbai Power Outages Trigger Public Anger Amid Communication Gaps

Mumbai: Prolonged power outages across several parts of the city from late Tuesday night into the early hours of Wednesday sparked widespread frustration among residents, who criticised both the disruption and the lack of timely communication from the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST).

According to reports, the situation was particularly severe in Worli, where residents have faced repeated outages over the past three days. The disruption peaked in the early hours of Wednesday, with a complete blackout reported between approximately 1:20 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. in several parts of the area, including Worli village. Frustrated by the prolonged outage, some residents reportedly took to the streets late at night, demanding immediate restoration of power.

Multiple Areas Affected

Extended outages were also reported in Sion, where electricity supply was disrupted for up to five hours. Parts of Marine Drive and Marine Lines were similarly affected following a feeder malfunction during the night. In Antop Hill, residents said power supply was cut around midnight and restored only close to 5 a.m.

Technical Faults Identified

Sources within BEST attributed the Sion outage to a localised substation fault, with reports indicating that a section of the facility caught fire. The disruption in Worli, meanwhile, was linked to issues with underground cabling infrastructure.

As the primary electricity provider for large parts of south and central Mumbai, BEST’s network disruptions have a significant impact on daily life in the city.

Residents Criticise Lack of Communication

Consumers voiced strong dissatisfaction over the absence of advance alerts and real-time updates during the outages. Former BEST committee member Ravi Raja, who was also affected, questioned why the utility failed to notify residents despite having access to customer contact information such as mobile numbers and email addresses.

Residents also highlighted the lack of clarity regarding restoration timelines and the absence of effective escalation mechanisms through helplines during the crisis.

Calls for Improved Consumer Engagement

Several residents called for BEST to adopt more proactive communication practices. Drawing comparisons with Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL), which regularly provides timely service alerts, they urged the electricity provider to implement similar consumer-friendly systems.

Summer Conditions Worsen Impact

The outages caused considerable discomfort amid rising summer temperatures. Residents, particularly in Worli, reported severe hardship, with elderly individuals struggling without ventilation, children unable to sleep, and working professionals deprived of rest.

Some residents also alleged that recurring disruptions could be linked to increased strain on local infrastructure, possibly due to unauthorised constructions in certain areas.

Authorities have yet to issue a detailed statement addressing the communication lapses, even as calls grow louder for systemic improvements in outage management and consumer engagement.