Guwahati Faces Severe Power Cuts Amid Construction Chaos

Guwahati's Summer Struggles

This summer, Guwahati is experiencing an unprecedented level of discomfort. While high temperatures are typical for this season, this year they are accompanied by dust-filled air, congested traffic, and frequent power outages.

The cityscape has transformed dramatically. Once tree-lined streets are now dominated by construction cranes. Flyovers are being built, but their incomplete state casts long shadows over neighborhoods already struggling for relief. For residents living near these construction sites, the notion of progress feels more like a burden.

Power Outages Become Routine

In areas like Dighalipukhuri, Noonmati, and the old Cycle Factory in Lal Ganesh, power outages have shifted from being an occasional inconvenience to a daily occurrence, sometimes happening multiple times a day.

Daily Power Struggles

Residents face a harsh reality: enduring the dust and noise of construction during the day, only to suffer through power outages at night. Amit, a local near Barsapara Stadium, expressed his frustration: "The power goes out every morning and night. It’s unbearable during these hot days. We’re unsure if it’s due to construction or something else, but it’s a significant inconvenience."

A file image of the flyover construction in Chandmari (AT Photo)

Hrishikesh Mahanta, another resident from Lal Ganesh, noted that power cuts have become increasingly common since the flyover construction began. "Previously, outages were infrequent and manageable. Now, they happen daily," he stated.

He highlighted the chaos caused by construction machinery, which often damages electric lines, leading to outages lasting two to three hours, particularly during peak times. "Guwahati has become a city where residents endure the heat all day and can’t even expect a restful night," he lamented.

Neeladri Patgiri from Silpukhuri shared similar sentiments, criticizing the lack of advance notice regarding outages. "This is a result of poor planning. The government initiates projects without proper groundwork, and ultimately, it’s the citizens who bear the brunt," he remarked.

For Darshit Barua in Ambari, these outages are more than just an inconvenience; they are debilitating. "We face power cuts once or twice daily. Working from home is impossible under these conditions. The inconsistent electricity supply severely hampers productivity," he explained.

In a conversation with a local news outlet, Rupranjan Kalita, Assistant General Manager of the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL), stated, "The outages are due to line shifting. The Public Works Department (PWD) is managing this work under APDCL’s supervision. We turn off the power as needed."

Regarding prior notifications about power cuts, Kalita mentioned, "We announce outages through loudspeakers and messages sent to registered mobile numbers in affected areas. In Lal Ganesh, where outages can last six to seven hours, we use microphones to ensure people are informed, as many may miss mobile alerts."

Ongoing Improvements in Power Supply

Despite the challenges associated with flyover construction, Assam's power supply system is undergoing significant changes, not just in Guwahati.

To enhance electricity distribution and reduce voltage fluctuations, the state inaugurated 100 new distribution substations on July 11.

Additionally, 96 more substations are being constructed under the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)-assisted System Enhancement and Loss Reduction Project, expected to be completed by December. This Rs 3,000-crore initiative aims for overall completion by March 2026. However, despite these advancements, considerable gaps remain.

It is estimated that a comprehensive overhaul of Assam’s transmission and distribution network would require an investment of nearly Rs 30,000 crore. A major concern is the disproportionate High Tension (HT) to Low Tension (LT) line ratio. A well-functioning distribution system typically maintains a ratio of 1:1.2 to minimize losses and stabilize voltage, whereas Assam’s current ratio is an imbalanced 1:3.

A file image of an electric pole (Representational Image)

Currently, the state has nearly 300,000 kilometers of LT lines, much of which is outdated and in disrepair, leading to recurring voltage issues and frequent outages, especially in rapidly urbanizing areas like Guwahati where demand is surging.

As Guwahati endures these outages, residents are left questioning whether development will ever translate into genuine progress or merely become another burden they must silently bear.