Mumbai: Around 7,500 power outage complaints were recorded in BEST supply areas in the island city in the past one year, up from about 6,500 the previous year, an official mentioned at the committee meeting on Monday. Till date, 2,500 faults, including several cable faults, were pending for permanent repairs at a time when BEST has witnessed a sharp rise in outage complaints from its consumers.The official further announced that the burden on the existing fault control and supervisory control system has increased significantly, prompting the decision to set up a new fault control centre at Tardeo-Pathakwadi. The fault control unit is being planned for D and E civic wards to ensure quicker response and immediate relief during power cuts.Officials said work to replace old cables is being carried out on a war footing. “So far, around 50% of the cable replacement work has been completed in the island city, including 120 km of extra high-voltage cables. BEST expects full replacement of old cables in the island city to take another one to two years, a move officials said will significantly strengthen power supply reliability.The surge in outages in recent weeks has affected several parts of south and central Mumbai, including Marine Drive, Kalbadevi, Fort, Dadar, Parel, Sion, Antop Hill and Dharavi.A senior official from the BEST power supply division attributed the rise in faults to multiple factors, including ongoing infrastructure works across the city. Road concretisation and other civic projects have damaged several underground cables, while monsoon-related water ingress could further weaken the network. Since the entire electricity system in the island city is underground, repairs are often complex and time-consuming.To improve emergency response, BEST currently has 11 emergency vehicles deployed, roughly two per ward, and plans to induct 11 more.In many cases, BEST restores supply through temporary connections after a fault, while permanent repairs remain pending. Officials said delays in obtaining BMC permissions have held up some repair works.Staff shortage, which has dipped to nearly one-third, has also emerged as a major challenge. BEST has not recruited since 2012, while around 150 employees retire every year. To address this, 84 people will be recruited for the new Tardeo centre. In addition, BEST is recruiting deputy engineers and 686 contractual staff, while also filling vacancies through promotions.“This reflects growing stress on the city’s ageing underground electricity network,” said a panel member, adding that Mumbai’s island city is grappling with a mounting power infrastructure crisis.
