MSEDCL’s Rs322 crore ‘smart system’ claims fall flat as Nagpur grapples with long power cuts

Nagpur: Even as Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) claims that nearly 98% of its ambitious Rs322 crore power infrastructure upgrade works in Nagpur district are progressing successfully, citizens across several parts of the city continue to reel under prolonged power cuts, frequent tripping and system overloads during the peak summer season. MSEDCL recently announced that works worth Rs316 crore under various schemes, including underground cabling, feeder upgrades and installation of new transformers, are either completed or nearing completion. The utility also highlighted that 440 new High Voltage Distribution System (HVDS) transformers have already been installed under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) to reduce technical losses and improve supply reliability.However, on the ground, residents say the reality remains far from the utility's ‘smart' and ‘hi-tech' power supply claims. Over the past two months, most of the city has witnessed repeated power outages, many stretching for several hours during the night even as temperatures hovered around 45 degrees Celsius. Even on Wednesday past midnight, several areas in Jaripatka witnessed power cuts, leaving citizens sweating. Citizens complain that despite crores being spent on infrastructure projects, issues such as feeder tripping, overloaded transformers and sudden voltage fluctuations continue unabated during peak demand hours. "Every summer the same situation repeats. MSEDCL talks about underground cables, smart systems and new substations, but people are are forced to go without electricity in extreme heat," said Mayuresh Kale, a resident of Besa-Pipla, where power supply remained disrupted repeatedly over the last several weeks.MSEDCL has stated that major works, including the Rs46 crore underground cabling project in southwest Nagpur, have been completed to prevent technical faults and monsoon-related disruptions. The utility has also undertaken large-scale projects under Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana 2.0 and feeder segregation schemes involving over Rs356 crore worth of works. In urban areas, new substations at Shrikrishna Nagar, Manewada and Besa have already been commissioned, while the Mankapur substation is in the final stage. Yet residents argue that unless the benefits are reflected in uninterrupted day-to-day supply, the projects remain largely on paper for common consumers. Industrial areas such as Butibori MIDC are witnessing improved reliability due to dedicated infrastructure strengthening, but residential consumers across Nagpur continue to struggle with erratic supply during summer.