Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 02 July 2024
Residents of Port Blair and its outskirts have been grappling with unannounced and frequent power cuts for years, a problem that has persisted. Despite numerous assurances and promises from the electricity department to resolve the issue, the situation has only worsened over time.
In September 2017, frustration over the continuous power outages culminated in a massive protest that turned violent as residents voiced their grievances. Although the community has remained largely peaceful since then, the underlying issue of power instability continues to disrupt daily life. During particular periods, the problem of power cuts seemed to have ended, but it only returned in a much grave form.
Wealthier residents have adapted by installing power backup solutions such as inverters. However, for many, the frequent and unpredictable power cuts lead to significant disruptions in their daily routines. The variability in the frequency of these power cuts—sometimes more severe on certain days—further exacerbates the problem.
Commercial establishments, particularly hotels in South Andaman, are severely impacted. They rely on costly diesel generators to maintain services during power outages, which eats into their profits and disrupts business operations. Small shop owners also face difficulties, as their power backup solutions often cannot sustain the operation of essential equipment like photocopiers and computers during prolonged outages.
The general public, especially those who cannot afford inverters, suffer the most. The frequent power cuts affect various aspects of their daily lives, creating significant inconvenience and hardship.
There is an urgent need for a permanent solution to these power cuts to alleviate the suffering of the people in Port Blair and its outskirts. Addressing this issue promptly and effectively is crucial to restoring normalcy and improving the quality of life for the residents.