Residents in multiple neighbourhoods across Mumbai endured prolonged electricity outages from late Tuesday night through the early hours of Wednesday, triggering widespread inconvenience and anger. The unexpected disruption not only affected daily routines but also left people struggling in the humid weather conditions. Adding to their frustration was the lack of timely communication from the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking, which failed to provide advance warnings or real-time updates. Many residents expressed concern over the absence of clarity, stating that such lapses in communication made the situation more difficult to manage during the extended blackout period.
In Worli, the situation turned particularly severe as locals reported repeated power interruptions over the past three days. The disruption intensified during the early hours of Wednesday, when several parts of the area, including Worli village, experienced a complete blackout for several hours. Electricity supply was reportedly unavailable from approximately 1.20 am until 6.30 am, leaving residents in complete darkness. The recurring outages have raised concerns among locals about infrastructure reliability and the ability of authorities to address persistent technical problems effectively.
As the outages continued for hours without resolution, frustration among residents escalated significantly, prompting some individuals to step out of their homes late at night. Groups gathered on the streets to voice their anger and demand immediate restoration of electricity supply. The situation highlighted the growing impatience among citizens, who felt neglected due to the lack of official updates. Many residents stated that the absence of any visible response or assurance from authorities intensified their distress, forcing them to take matters into their own hands in an attempt to draw attention to their plight.
The impact of the outages was not limited to a single locality, as several other parts of Mumbai also faced extended electricity cuts during the same period. In Sion, residents reported that power supply was disrupted for nearly five hours, causing considerable inconvenience. Similarly, areas such as Marine Drive and Marine Lines were plunged into darkness after a feeder malfunction occurred overnight. In Antop Hill, electricity supply was reportedly cut off around midnight and was only restored close to 5 am, leaving residents without power for a significant duration during the night.
Preliminary information from sources within BEST suggested that technical faults were responsible for the widespread disruptions experienced across different areas. In Sion, the outage was reportedly caused by a localised issue at a substation, where a section is believed to have caught fire. Meanwhile, the power failure in Worli was linked to problems with underground cable infrastructure. Given that BEST is a major electricity provider catering to large portions of south and central Mumbai, such incidents tend to affect a significant number of consumers, amplifying the scale of disruption across the city.
Consumers strongly criticised the lack of communication from the electricity provider during the crisis, stating that no prior notice was given before the outages began. Even during the prolonged disruption, there were no meaningful updates regarding the cause of the problem or the expected restoration time. Former BEST committee member Ravi Raja, who was also affected by the outage, questioned why residents were not informed despite the utility having access to customer contact details such as mobile numbers and email addresses, which could have been used to provide timely alerts and updates.
Residents also highlighted the absence of a clear system for escalation or assistance during the outage, pointing out that helplines were either unresponsive or ineffective in addressing their concerns. Many stated that they were left without any reliable source of information, forcing them to rely on speculation and social media for updates. The lack of transparency and coordination during the crisis led to further dissatisfaction, as consumers felt that their grievances were not being adequately acknowledged or addressed by the authorities responsible for maintaining essential services.
Criticism of BEST’s communication practices extended beyond the immediate inconvenience, with residents questioning the overall approach towards consumer engagement. A resident from Antop Hill remarked that despite Mumbai being recognised as a global city, basic service updates were not being shared efficiently. Drawing comparisons with other utility providers such as Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL), the resident pointed out that timely notifications and alerts are standard practices elsewhere, suggesting that BEST should adopt more proactive and consumer-friendly communication strategies to improve service reliability and public trust.
The timing of the outages further intensified the difficulties faced by residents, as the disruptions occurred during the summer season when temperatures and humidity levels are high. The absence of electricity meant that fans and air-conditioning systems were non-functional, making it extremely uncomfortable for households. Worli resident Dhanpal Solanki emphasised that elderly individuals faced serious challenges due to lack of ventilation, children struggled to sleep through the night, and working professionals were unable to get adequate rest after long hours, compounding the overall hardship caused by the blackout.
Solanki also raised concerns about the possibility of underlying infrastructure stress contributing to the recurring outages in certain areas. He alleged that unauthorised constructions in and around Worli could be placing additional pressure on the existing power infrastructure, potentially leading to repeated failures. While these claims require further verification, they reflect the growing apprehension among residents regarding the sustainability of the city’s infrastructure amid rapid urban development. The incident has once again underscored the need for improved planning, maintenance, and communication to prevent similar disruptions in the future.