Pune: Citizens Stage Massive Protest Against Frequent Power Outages in Baner-Balewadi Region
Baner, 16th May 2026: Frustrated by relentless power cuts and lagging infrastructure, hundreds of residents from Pune’s rapidly expanding IT corridors—Baner, Balewadi, Pashan, and Mahalunge—took to the streets in a massive citizens’ protest.
The demonstration was jointly organized by the Baner Balewadi Pashan Residents Association (BBPRA) and the Baner Balewadi Nagrik Manch (BBNM) to highlight the stark disparity between the area’s explosive real estate growth and its crumbling electricity network.
Despite being some of Pune’s fastest-growing urban centers, characterized by towering residential high-rises and massive commercial IT parks, residents report that basic infrastructure has failed to keep pace. Protesters stated that power outages and severe voltage fluctuations have become a daily ordeal. Many neighborhoods face power cuts three to four times a week, with some disruptions lasting up to 24 hours.
Safety Hazards and Poor Planning
Citizens pointed to ongoing Metro construction as a major catalyst for the crisis, citing repeated damage to underground electricity cables and substandard restoration work by contractors. Protesters raised serious public safety alarms over exposed high-tension cables and dangerously placed, unprotected feeder pillar boxes on footpaths.
The unchecked urban expansion under the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR) also drew heavy criticism. Residents questioned whether civic bodies conducted proper load assessments before granting large-scale construction permissions, noting that the new developments have severely overburdened the existing power grid.
Ineffective Grievance Redressal
Adding to the frustration is an allegedly unresponsive complaint redressal system. Protesters described the MSEDCL mobile application as highly ineffective and complained of unanswered office phones and discourteous staff. While they expressed appreciation for the on-ground local engineers doing their best within limited capacities, the systemic failures have left many residents stranded.
Furthermore, voltage fluctuations have caused extensive damage to expensive electrical appliances, prompting citizens to demand financial compensation and reimbursement for their losses.
Key Demands
The protesters issued a strong appeal for immediate intervention from the Chief Minister, who also holds the Power Minister portfolio. Their primary demands include:
New Substation: The immediate commencement and priority completion of the proposed MahaTransco HV Substation on a 0.65-acre plot at Survey No. 4/1 Part in Balewadi. The area currently relies heavily on the overburdened NCL and Hinjewadi substations.
Infrastructure Review: A comprehensive review of the region’s electricity infrastructure by the State Government, MERC, MahaTransco, and MSEDCL.
Halt on Approvals: A mandate that infrastructure upgrades must precede any further large-scale development approvals.
Citizen Committee: The formation of a joint citizens’ committee to hold regular, transparent, and time-bound review meetings with MSEDCL and government agencies.
Quality Control: Strict adherence to prescribed technical and safety standards for underground cable laying and restoration work.
The protest concluded with a unified message: Pune’s rapidly growing urban areas require planned, future-ready infrastructure, and citizens can no longer be forced to pay the price for poor civic planning and inadequate implementation.
