Jaipur: Repeated power outages reported from several parts of the city on Sunday disrupted the weekend for many residents, at a time when rising temperatures have pushed Jaipur's electricity demand significantly higher.
Areas Affected and Consumer Complaints
Areas such as Narayan Vihar, Jhotwara, and Sirsi Road were among several others that faced frequent outages throughout the day. Consumers across the city complained of inconveniences as supply remained erratic, especially during the afternoon hours.
Infrastructure Shortcomings
While seasonal peaks in power demand are typical during summer months, Sunday's blackouts pointed to a level of unpreparedness among the state's power distribution companies (discoms). They appeared to have fallen short of augmenting load capacity and strengthening distribution infrastructure in anticipation of higher demand.
“Many outer areas of the city are still not connected to 133 kV substations,” said D D Agarwal of Samta Power, an NGO in the power sector. “The demand in these areas cannot be managed with 33 kV substations,” he added.
Expert Recommendations on Load Management
Several people with experience in power distribution say that discoms are expected to conduct load assessments in preparation for summer months, in addition to upgrading transformer capacities, adding new feeders, and strengthening substations in high-demand areas. Standard operating procedures also mandate discoms to undertake routine maintenance such as tightening loose connections, trimming trees near power lines, and replacing worn-out equipment, all critical to ensuring smooth operations.
Risks to Household Appliances
“Frequent tripping not only causes inconvenience but can also pose risks to household appliances,” said a retired electrical engineer. Voltage fluctuations common when power is restored after an outage can damage common appliances such as air conditioners, refrigerators, televisions, and computers, he added. Given such risks, experts advise people to use voltage stabilisers to avoid damage.
Urgent Need for Infrastructure Improvement
With maximum temperatures expected to soar further over the coming days and weeks, frequent power outages across the city highlight the urgent need for timely improvement of infrastructure and better demand management to ensure uninterrupted power supply.
