On and off the grid: The reality behind Delhi’s complex ‘power’ play

The narrative surrounding power cuts is a complex mosaic in Delhi, with some neighbourhoods enduring hours-long blackouts while others enjoy uninterrupted electricity, sparking debates over the issue’s true scope. Areas such as Sangam Vihar, Burari, Nangloi, and Kondli report disruptions, while Kalkaji and Janakpuri experience stable power, highlighting a city of stark contrasts.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has launched a fierce campaign against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of mismanaging a once-reliable grid, while the BJP insists Delhi’s power supply is largely robust, with cuts being localised or exaggerated.

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Political tussle

The power cuts have ignited a heated political battle, with the AAP leveraging the issue to corner the BJP-led government under Chief Mminister Rekha Gupta. At a press conference in central Delhi, AAP’s Leader of Opposition Atishi set the tone.

“Before AAP, power cuts were normal. Every home had an inverter. But under [AAP chief and former Delhi CM] Arvind Kejriwal, we ensured 24-hour electricity,” she said, citing Rajya Sabha data claiming no outages during AAP’s decade-long rule. Her remarks painted the BJP as failing Delhi’s residents, though she sidestepped areas reporting stable power.

Kejriwal offensive

At a rally in Kalkaji, Kejriwal amplified the attack. “This is about BJP’s incompetence, not capacity,” he told supporters, pointing out that the recent demand of 5,462 MW was well below the 8,500 MW AAP managed without cuts.

AAP’s “BJP In, Power Out” campaign has fuelled protests, including a notable demonstration at the Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) led by AAP MLA Kuldeep Kumar from Kondli.

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Street protests

Speaking to The Federal after the ISBT protest, where residents marched with candles and placards, Kumar voiced exasperation. “We’re receiving complaints every single day from residents about electricity going off, sometimes for hours,” he said.

“It’s not our job as MLAs to pinpoint why these outages are happening — that’s the government’s responsibility. They need to investigate and fix the root causes, whether it’s overloaded transformers, poor maintenance or something else entirely,” he added.

When asked why there was a “broken system”, as alleged by the AAP, just two months after the government run by the party left power, he said, “It’s not my job to find that out, but the government’s. People are suffering, and they’re angry. We’re standing with them to demand answers and action.”

The ISBT protest, alongside others at ITO, Burari, and Sriniwaspuri, reflects the AAP’s push to channel localised anger into a broader narrative against the BJP.

AAP attacks BJP

Atishi, at another event, tapped into public frustration, sharing a video of Sriniwaspuri residents heckling Water Minister Parvesh Verma. “People are so frustrated, they’re confronting BJP leaders on the streets,” she said.

AAP’s Jasmine Shah, presenting DISCOM data, challenged the BJP’s claim of “planned shutdowns”. “The data shows their failure,” he said, highlighting emergency breakdowns in affected areas.

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BJP hits back

The BJP has hit back, dismissing AAP’s campaign as opportunistic. At a Delhi Assembly session, power minister Ashish Sood defended the government. “Delhi has 24-hour power in most areas,” he said, describing cuts as “brief and localised” for maintenance.

He accused Atishi of amplifying complaints through “fake social media accounts” and threatened legal action. Sood claimed AAP’s final year saw 21,597 cuts over an hour. “They’re not the saviours they pretend to be,” he said.

BJP’s Virendra Sachdeva, speaking at a party event, echoed Sood. “24-hour power is common in BJP-ruled states like Gujarat,” he said, accusing AAP of exaggerating for political gain.

Spectrum of experiences

The BSES, the power distribution company, supported the BJP, reporting stable demand at 4,070-4,360 MW, suggesting limited disruptions. Shah’s data showed some cuts, but the BJP insists many complaints are overstated.

In Sriniwaspuri, south Delhi, where small shops crowd narrow lanes, 42-year-old shopkeeper Rakesh Kumar recounted a recent outage. “A few days ago, we lost power for almost three hours in the afternoon,” he said, standing behind his grocery counter, evidently frustrated. “The fridge stopped working, and I had to throw out some spoiled milk and curd. Customers didn’t stick around.”

Supporting his wife and two children, Rakesh feels the financial toll but noted, “It’s not every day, just enough to make things tough.”

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Low income area

In Burari, a sprawling residential area, 47-year-old teacher Sunita Verma described recurring disruptions. “We’ve had two-hour outages most evenings this week,” she said, sitting in her home lit by a single bulb during a brief power return. “It’s hard to teach online or keep my kids comfortable in this heat.” Her experience aligns with local protests, where residents have voiced their anger over unreliable power.

Yet, in Kalkaji, just a few miles away, 38-year-old accountant Vikram Singh sees a different reality. “I keep hearing about these outages, but we’ve had steady power,” he said, working in his air-conditioned office. “Maybe it’s specific areas, but it feels like the problem’s being blown out of proportion.” Vikram’s account suggests the issue is far from universal.

In Nangloi, a hub of small businesses and homes, 30-year-old electrician Manoj Kumar faced a setback. “A two-hour cut last week stopped my work,” he said, surrounded by wires and tools in his shop. “Clients were annoyed, and I lost a day’s earnings.” Still, Manoj admitted: “It’s not constant. Some days are perfectly fine.” His mixed experience reflects the uneven impact across Delhi.

Different perspectives

In Kondli, an east Delhi constituency, 55-year-old shop owner Rekha Devi shared her struggles. “A couple of days back, the power was out for nearly three hours,” she said, arranging goods in her small shop under the glow of a battery-powered lamp. “The fans stopped, and customers left early. It’s been happening too often.”

In Chhatarpur Extension, 29-year-old graphic designer Huma Tanweer faced a disruption. “Last week, the power went out for two hours during a client call,” she told The Federal, recalling the scramble to find a solution. “My laptop battery was low, and I had to rush to a café to finish my work.”

Her parents, in their 60s, struggled in the heat. “My dad has a heart condition, and he was really uncomfortable that day,” she said, though she added, “It’s not a daily issue here.”

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Stability in some areas

In Janakpuri, the constituency of power minister Ashish Sood, 35-year-old homemaker Priya Sharma reported minimal trouble. “A couple of nights ago, we had a short 30-minute cut,” she said, sitting in her living room with her children’s schoolbooks scattered nearby. “I hear about these long outages, but we haven’t faced that. It feels like some are making it sound worse.”

Priya’s experience highlights the stability in parts of the city.

In Sangam Vihar, a low-income area, 60-year-old Shanti Devi faced a health scare during a three-hour outage. “A few days back, the power was out in the evening,” she said, sitting on a charpoy outside her home. “I have asthma, and my nebuliser wouldn’t work. I started feeling short of breath.”

‘Some exaggerate’

Shanti, who can’t afford a generator, noted, “It’s not every day, but when it happens, it’s frightening.”

In Laxmi Nagar, a commercial hub, 50-year-old tailor Anil Gupta described a setback. “Two days ago, we had a two-hour power cut in the morning,” he said, pointing to his idle sewing machine. “I fell behind on orders, and one client cancelled.”

Yet, nearby shopkeeper Rajesh Yadav, 45, was less fazed. “We get brief cuts, but it’s not a crisis,” he said. “Some people exaggerate.”

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Badly hit neighbourhoods

Areas like Budh Vihar, Sant Nagar in Burari, Palam Village, Prince Colony in Badarpur, Indra Park in Uttam Nagar, Hargovind Enclave in Chhatarpur, Mahavir Enclave Part 2, Nihal Vihar in Nangloi, Kondli, East Delhi, Old Rajendra Nagar, and Laxmi Nagar have been flagged by AAP for outages, but residents in Kalkaji, Janakpuri, and parts of these areas report stable power.

Protests, including candlelit marches in Sriniwaspuri, Burari, and at ISBT, reflect frustration in affected pockets, though some locals question the issue’s scope.

Insider’s account

At a BSES maintenance yard, an anonymous employee offered insight into the grid’s challenges. “In some areas, transformers and cables are overloaded, causing faults,” they said, referencing recent repairs. “Last week, we had breakdowns in a few localities due to high demand. But it’s not citywide.”

The employee added: “Most of Delhi’s grid is holding up, and we’re managing maintenance without major disruptions.” This aligns with DISCOM reports showing demand at 4,070-4,360 MW, within manageable limits.

City divided

The outage issue has polarised Delhi. At community meetings, residents in Burari, Nangloi, Kondli and Sangam Vihar share real frustrations, whilst those in Kalkaji and Janakpuri praise reliable power. Protests, including Kumar’s at ISBT, highlight anger in affected areas, but some residents see the outcry as disproportionate.

The AAP warned of worsening outages. “If this is happening now, what’s next in peak summer?” Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, at a Budget announcement, promised to maintain subsidies and allocated Rs 100 crore to shift cables underground. “We’re addressing the issue,” she said, though scepticism persists in the hard-hit areas.