Low Voltage Power Supply Sparks Anger Among Kondhwa Residents Two days of erratic electricity supply following unseasonal rain leaves locals frustrated

Pune, May 22:
Residents of Mithanagar and surrounding areas in Kondhwa are grappling with an inconsistent power supply marked by low voltage and frequent outages over the past two days. The disruption, reportedly triggered by unseasonal rainfall and technical faults, has led to widespread frustration among locals, especially with no clear resolution in sight from the power distribution authorities.

Power Failure Follows Heavy Rainfall

On the night of May 20, heavy unseasonal rainfall lashed parts of Pune, including Kondhwa. As per local residents, the downpour resulted in a major power failure in the Mithanagar area, where five electrical transformers tripped almost simultaneously. Though supply was partially restored late at night, the electricity returned at significantly low voltage, causing dim lights and appliance malfunctions in several homes.

“This is not the first time we’re facing such an issue,” said Ramesh Gawade, a resident of the affected area. “Whenever there’s rain, we know a power cut or voltage drop is coming. We’ve reported the issue multiple times, but no one takes it seriously.”

Phone Calls to the Power Department Go Unanswered

The repeated disruptions have led many residents to reach out to the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL), hoping for updates and permanent fixes. However, many claim their calls to the local MSEDCL office have gone unanswered.

“It’s like shouting into a void. We try calling the office, but no one picks up. We are left in the dark—literally and figuratively,” said Farzana Shaikh, another local.

Locals allege that despite the recurring nature of the problem, no preventive maintenance or infrastructure upgrades have been undertaken in the area, leading to the repeated collapse of the system under any weather stress.

Low Voltage Disrupts Daily Life

The low voltage issue is more than just an inconvenience—it’s disrupting daily routines. With electricity running at low pressure, several households have reported their fans, refrigerators, and water pumps not functioning properly. In some cases, low voltage has even led to damage to expensive electronic devices.

“Not only are we unable to sleep at night due to non-functioning fans, but there’s also no water because the pump won’t work,” said Priya Jadhav, a homemaker. “We can’t even store food properly as the fridge isn’t cooling.”

Commercial establishments in the area are also bearing the brunt. Small shop owners say their business is affected due to lighting and billing issues, and customers avoid entering dimly lit shops.

No Resolution Even After Two Days

Even two days after the initial failure, the power supply has not returned to normal. Residents say they are experiencing unpredictable electricity—sometimes it’s there, sometimes it goes off, and even when it’s on, the voltage remains too low for regular use.

“This is completely unacceptable,” said local social activist Arvind Patil. “The authorities must be held accountable. We are paying our bills regularly. We deserve uninterrupted, reliable electricity.”

Patil also mentioned that complaints have been registered on the MSEDCL mobile app and official portal, but no response has been received yet.

Demand for Permanent Solutions

The issue has sparked demands for long-term solutions. Residents want the power infrastructure in Kondhwa upgraded to handle weather-related challenges and load variations. Many are now considering forming a local action group to push the authorities for a permanent fix and regular maintenance checks.

Experts suggest that with Pune’s expanding urban footprint, older infrastructure in fast-developing suburbs like Kondhwa often gets neglected, leading to recurrent issues like these.