Recurring power outages have disrupted daily life, farming and business activity in the Lonikandbhore sub-division of Haveli taluka for the past eight days, with residents reporting equipment damage and demanding a permanent solution from Mahavitaran.
The interruptions have affected households, farmers and commercial establishments in Lonikandbhore and nearby Kadamwakvasti. Residents said power supply was being repeatedly suspended in the name of repair work, delaying domestic and business activities across the area.
Farmers have been particularly affected because the absence of rain has increased their dependence on agricultural pumps for irrigation. With electricity unavailable for extended periods, farmers have found it difficult to operate the pumps and provide water to their crops.
Residents have also raised concerns about damage to electrical appliances caused by repeated interruptions and voltage fluctuations. Some consumers alleged that increased bills following the installation of smart meters were not being adequately addressed. They further demanded that Mahavitaran pay closer attention to electricity theft instead of taking prompt disconnection action only in cases involving outstanding bills.
Vikrant Mohol, assistant engineer at Mahavitaran’s Lonikandbhore office, said the disruption was linked partly to ageing infrastructure. According to Mohol, conductors that were installed 30 to 40 years ago need to be replaced, and work was being carried out with the power supply shut on Thursday.
Mohol said work was also under way to install capacitor banks to improve voltage. He said the measure would benefit farmers, while adding that the increased load from agricultural pumps had contributed to technical faults on the Fursungi–Tarde feeder.
The assistant engineer also said electricity shutdowns were sometimes necessary to carry out development and maintenance work safely. The explanation comes as residents continue to seek more reliable supply and a lasting remedy for the repeated faults.
The disruption highlights the direct effect of distribution infrastructure on the functioning of expanding peri-urban settlements around Pune. In areas where farming, homes and small businesses share the same electricity network, feeder failures and planned shutdowns can affect several parts of local life at once. For farmers, the timing of supply is particularly important because irrigation pumps depend on an operational and stable connection.
Residents of Lonikandbhore and Kadamwakvasti are now expecting the conductor replacement, capacitor-bank installation and other corrective measures to improve supply. Mahavitaran’s local office has not provided a completion timeline in the supplied report, leaving the duration of the disruption dependent on the progress of the ongoing works.
