Major Power Outage Cripples Mumbai's Girgaon, Businesses Forced to Close Early
A significant power outage disrupted large parts of Girgaon in Mumbai, starting at 7 pm on Tuesday, plunging key commercial stretches into darkness and compelling shopkeepers and business owners to shut their establishments prematurely. The outage persisted for over two hours, severely impacting the local economy and daily life.
Impact on Commercial and Residential Areas
With electricity supply abruptly snapped, numerous establishments, including shops and offices, were locked up ahead of schedule. Residents and commuters faced significant challenges as they navigated dimly lit roads, highlighting the outage's widespread effects on safety and mobility in the bustling area.
Cause and Response to the Disruption
According to official sources, the disruption was triggered after a cable termination in Girgaon caught fire. The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) was immediately notified over a call, and a repair team was promptly dispatched to the site. An official stated on Tuesday night that tripping-related work was underway to restore supply at the earliest possible time.
It was further learned that the fire originated in the switchgear of the Girgaon power feeder. In response, the testing engineer shut down the secondary breaker of the Power Transformer to prevent further damage. The fire was subsequently extinguished using CO2 cylinders, and the switchgear was isolated to ensure safety and facilitate repairs.
This incident underscores the vulnerabilities in urban infrastructure and the critical need for swift emergency responses to minimize disruptions in densely populated metropolitan areas like Mumbai.
