Surat’s textile industry has opposed a proposed weekly power shutdown of up to 12 hours, warning that longer or poorly timed interruptions could disrupt production cycles, delivery commitments and operations across major industrial clusters in South Gujarat.
Industry representatives have asked the government and electricity distribution companies to restrict any planned load management to eight hours once a week, preferably during the night. The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) has also sought consultations with industries before the schedule is finalised.
A power cut from 4pm to midnight was earlier being considered, according to industry representatives. Following objections from industrial bodies, the schedule is now being reconsidered. However, government agencies and electricity companies are planning a longer shutdown of around 12 hours beginning at 6pm, the report said, prompting fresh concerns among textile units.
“We have suggested that the power cut should be after 7 pm for eight hours once in a week, but the companies are demanding to call for power cut from 6 pm. Along with power cut, other major issues are also impacting the industries related to electricity supply,” SGCCI officials said.
Representatives from the textile weaving and processing sectors said they were not opposing load management measures in principle. Their concern is that the timing and frequency of the shutdowns should account for production cycles and the operational requirements of industrial units. A limited weekly interruption could be accommodated, one industrialist said, but repeated disruptions during the week would adversely affect operations.
The industry has also sought an assurance that electricity supply will remain uninterrupted on other days. Processing units, in particular, depend on continuity of supply because interruptions can affect production schedules and commitments to buyers.
Industrial clusters including Kim and Pipodara have separately reported electricity-related problems linked to coordination between Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company Ltd (DGVCL), the distribution company, and Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Ltd (GETCO), the transmission utility. Industry representatives said they had raised these concerns at local offices without satisfactory resolution, after which SGCCI approached the government.
The dispute comes as industrial expansion across multiple pockets of South Gujarat increases demand for electricity. The region’s growth beyond textiles is adding pressure to distribution infrastructure that is operating near maximum capacity, according to industry representatives.
SGCCI has asked for better coordination between DGVCL and GETCO, increased substation and distribution capacity, a time-bound process for new electricity connections and joint coordination meetings involving trade and industrial associations. The timing and duration of the proposed shutdown remain under reconsideration by the concerned agencies.
