Gujarat Industrial Hub Hit by Power Outages, Facing Losses

The industrial landscape of Gujarat’s Bavla belt is grappling with severe production disruptions and substantial financial losses, primarily attributed to an erratic and unreliable electricity supply. Manufacturers are reporting frequent power tripping and voltage fluctuations, which are not only damaging sensitive machinery but also interrupting critical continuous processes and derailing production schedules. The situation has led to formal appeals from industries within the Kerala GIDC to Uttar Gujarat Vij Company Ltd (UGVCL) for a sustainable resolution.

Data from affected units highlights the severity of the issue, with one complaint detailing over 9.83 hours of external power breakdowns and a staggering 74-hour complete shutdown experienced in July alone. Businesses engaged in continuous-process and precision manufacturing, including pharmaceutical, polymer, and agrochemical units, are particularly vulnerable. These disruptions risk the loss of entire batches of products, leading to significant financial setbacks. A representative from the textile sector reported cumulative losses amounting to approximately Rs 3 crore over a three-month period.

The power instability poses a direct threat to automated production lines and delicate equipment. While some factories have made considerable investments in establishing their own power infrastructure to mitigate tripping issues, they remain exposed to other environmental factors. A recent incident saw an engineering unit’s foundry forced to halt operations for two days due to flooding after a GIDC substation was submerged, underscoring the multifaceted challenges faced by the region’s industries. Similar power supply issues have also been reported in other industrial zones, including Panchratna Estate and various areas along the Changodar-Bavla belt, affecting a wide range of dependent businesses.