Industries warn of losses as power cuts disrupt operations

Mohali : Frequent unplanned power cuts and poor communication from Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) are disrupting industrial activity in Mohali, with the Mohali Industries Association (MIA) warning that continued uncertainty could force some units to consider shifting operations to other states. Raising the issue at a press conference at MIA Bhavan Monday, MIA representatives said recurring outages, unscheduled tripping and inadequate advance notice were causing significant production, manpower and financial losses across the industrial sector. MIA president Ashok Gupta, representing nearly 600 micro, small, medium and large units in the district, said uninterrupted power is critical for manufacturing operations. However, unannounced daytime cuts and frequent tripping in recent weeks have disrupted production cycles, damaged sensitive equipment and led to wastage of raw and semi-finished material. The problem becomes more acute during night shifts, he said, as power cuts are often communicated at short notice or not communicated effectively. As a result, industries are unable to plan production schedules or deploy manpower efficiently. MIA general secretary Rakesh Vig said the uncertainty was forcing industrial units to keep workers and resources on standby without knowing whether operations could run through the night. The situation, he said, has led to idle man-hours, delayed dispatches, missed delivery commitments and rising operating costs. 'How has a power-surplus state become a power-deficit one? It is a matter of grave concern,' Vig said. He added that most MSMEs operate on bank loans and already face substantial interest burdens. Unpredictable outages further raise production costs and threaten business viability. Warning of a larger impact on Punjab's industrial competitiveness, MIA said prolonged disruptions could push struggling units towards sickness and encourage businesses to explore expansion or relocation outside the state. The association has demanded immediate withdrawal of night power cuts for industries, reduction in unscheduled tripping and maintenance during non-peak hours. It has also sought a minimum 12-hour advance notice for planned outages, a dedicated industrial power helpline, appointment of a PSPCL nodal officer for grievance redressal and stronger coordination between power utility officials and industrial associations. Blurb: Industry body says erratic supply and poor outage communication are hurting production, increasing costs and undermining Punjab's industrial competitiveness. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Chandigarh | Silver Rate in Chandigarh | Bank Holidays in Chandigarh | Public Holidays in Chandigarh | Chandigarh AQI | Weather in Chandigarh | Petrol Price in Chandigarh | Diesel Price in Chandigarh | CNG Price in Chandigarh | LPG Price in Chandigarh Stay updated with the latest Chandigarh news. Download the TOI App.