To address frequent power outages reported over the past two months, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking has decided to replace old underground electricity cables in the Girgaon area, some of which date back to 1950.
As part of the upgrade, a new underground cable network will be laid near Marine Lines railway station. Officials said the initiative aims to permanently resolve recurring technical faults affecting electricity supply in the locality.
According to senior BEST officials, new underground cables will be installed on both sides of the railway tracks near Marine Lines station. This will involve digging trenches of around 300 metres in one section and 150 metres in another. Once laid, the new cables will be connected through existing pipelines running beneath the railway tracks.
The work is currently awaiting permission from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for road excavation and trenching. Officials said that once approval is granted, the work could be completed within four to five days.
Authorities expressed confidence that the project will provide a long-term solution to the frequent power disruptions in Girgaon and surrounding areas.
Meanwhile, BJP leader and BEST committee member Akshay Purohit said additional manpower and vehicles have been deployed in the most affected Pathakwadi area. He added that a special emergency response system has been put in place to restore power within two hours of any outage, with senior BEST officials monitoring the situation late into the night.
BEST General Manager Sonia Sethi, during a committee meeting held on Tuesday, announced a INR 20 crore action plan to strengthen the power distribution system. She acknowledged that delays in recruitment over the past six years and procurement issues related to repair materials had contributed to the current situation.
Under this plan, BEST will recruit around 690 field staff, along with redeploying 127 transport department drivers and 100 mechanics.
Additionally, the undertaking plans to set up a dedicated call centre, deploy 350 diesel generators for emergency power supply, introduce additional emergency response vehicles, procure aerial lifting equipment, and establish a new fault control centre in Tardeo.
Officials said the overall aim is to improve response time and strengthen the electricity supply system, particularly in South Mumbai, where ageing infrastructure continues to pose operational challenges.
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