Thousands of residents in Godhra have been enduring prolonged power outages amid the scorching summer heat following a fire at the town's main power substation, disrupting electricity supply to more than 95,000 consumers.
The outages have severely affected daily life across eastern and western parts of the town, with residents complaining of frequent and lengthy power cuts over the past several days. Frustration over the situation recently spilled onto the streets, with locals staging protests against the erratic power supply.
Substation Fire and Its Aftermath
The disruption began after a fire broke out at a GETCO substation, damaging several electrical panels and affecting power distribution across the town. While replacement panels have since been installed, officials said the problem extends beyond the fire incident.
An official of the Madhya Gujarat Vij Company Ltd (MGVCL) stated, "Godhra currently has two substations, but the town now requires at least two more due to the sharp increase in electricity demand over the past few years. Approval for two new substations has already been granted."
Daily Ordeal for Residents
Residents say the power cuts have become a daily ordeal, particularly as temperatures remain high. Many areas have reportedly been experiencing outages lasting several hours every day. Manish Parikh, a hotel owner in Godhra, expressed his frustration: "The power supply has been extremely erratic. It not only disrupts our daily routine but also affects business operations. I am forced to spend thousands of rupees on generator fuel to ensure uninterrupted power supply."
Parikh said he has repeatedly raised the issue with authorities, while several other residents echoed similar concerns, demanding a permanent solution to the recurring outages.
Growing Demand for Infrastructure
The MGVCL official acknowledged that the town's power infrastructure has not kept pace with rising demand. With the addition of two new substations, the utility hopes to stabilize supply. However, residents remain skeptical, insisting on immediate measures to mitigate the current crisis.
As the heatwave continues, the people of Godhra are left grappling with uncertainty, hoping that the promised upgrades will bring relief from the relentless power cuts.
