Large parts of Delhi experienced prolonged power outages on Wednesday night, with residents across the city reporting disruptions
Large parts of Delhi experienced prolonged power outages on Wednesday night, with residents across the city reporting disruptions

Summary

As Delhi reels under a rising heatwave, prolonged power cuts have triggered a political blame game between AAP and the BJP-led government, raising concerns about the cityโ€™s power preparedness for peak summer months.

New Delhi: Large parts of Delhi experienced prolonged power outages on Wednesday night, with residents across the city reporting disruptions lasting several hours. The outages occurred despite the peak power demand being recorded at 5,462 MWโ€”significantly lower than last yearโ€™s high of 8,500 MW, when no major cuts were reported.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accused the BJP-led Delhi government of mismanagement, claiming that the cityโ€™s power infrastructure, which had been stable under AAPโ€™s tenure, is now deteriorating. AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal stated, โ€œLast year, Delhi handled 8,500 MW without outages. Now, even at lower demand, people are suffering. What will happen when demand peaks in June and July?โ€
Delhi Assembly Leader of Opposition Atishi shared multiple complaints from residents, highlighting areas like Uttam Nagar, Janakpuri, Patparganj, and Rohini, where power cuts lasted over 10 hours in some cases. She criticized Power Minister Ashish Sood for attributing the outages to โ€œmaintenance,โ€ calling it an excuse. Notably, Janakpuriโ€”Soodโ€™s own constituencyโ€”was among the worst affected, with residents reporting more outages in the last two months than in the past decade.
Social media was flooded with grievances, including from an advocate in Karam Pura who said, โ€œThis is the first time in four years weโ€™ve faced such prolonged cuts. Even children are suffering.โ€
With temperatures rising, concerns are mounting over Delhiโ€™s power stability in the coming months. The BJP government has yet to issue a detailed response.