Pune: Power Outages Expose Crumbling Infrastructure: Exposed Cables, Treefalls, and Waterlogging Leave Residents in the Dark for Over 20 Hours

Exposed cables, treefalls, and waterlogging continue to disrupt electricity, highlighting Pune’s fragile infrastructure

PUNE – Large parts of Pune, continue to suffer prolonged power outages following recent heavy rainfall, with many residents reporting blackouts exceeding 15 to 20 hours. The recurring issue has exposed serious gaps in the city’s infrastructure preparedness, particularly in the face of increasingly erratic monsoons.

Despite multiple complaints lodged with the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL), many citizens say there has been no clear timeline for power restoration or reliable communication from the authorities. 

“The contact number provided in automated responses doesn’t even ring. We’ve sent several social media messages but received no concrete answers,” said a resident of Undri, who has been without power for over 15 hours, recently. Many others voiced similar frustrations, citing zero support despite escalating complaints.

An MSEDCL official stated that, exposed cables damaged during roadwork, combined with moisture content and fallen trees, were behind most of the faults. “Cables were exposed due to ongoing digging. Moisture seeped in, causing short circuits and outages,” he said. Several transformers reportedly developed faults after trees collapsed onto them, a recurring issue with every heavy downpour.

Adding to the chaos, flooded roads delays repair crews. Waterlogging near transformers also prevent access, extending blackout durations further.

Recurring Pattern, No Lasting Solution

Power outages due to rains have become a persistent problem in Pune. Residents say the same issues treefalls, cable exposure, poor drainage, and infrastructure overload are repeated each year, with little long-term resolution.

“Every time it rains heavily, we brace ourselves for a blackout. The authorities come, fix it temporarily, and it repeats again,” said a Wadachiwadi resident.

This time, the impact has been especially severe, with only partial restoration in many societies and single-phase supply, which fails to support basic appliances. Households with elderly members or patients dependent on medical equipment have been the worst affected.

Citizens Demand Action

Frustrated residents have called for urgent intervention, asking authorities to:

• Launch a comprehensive pre-monsoon infrastructure audit.
• Improve coordination between civic works and power utilities to prevent exposed or damaged cables.
• Provide reliable emergency helplines and real-time updates during outages.
• Strengthen resilience of power infrastructure, particularly in high-growth areas like Undri, Pisoli, and Wadachiwadi.

Without swift reforms, citizens fear that Pune’s urban expansion will continue to outpace the city’s ability to provide basic services, a concerning signal for a metro that aims to be a smart city.