- Hinjewadi Power Cut: What Happened and Why It Matters
- When and How the Outage Happened
- Areas and Consumers Affected
- Emergency Response and Restoration Efforts
- Public Reaction and Inconvenience
- Traffic Congestion Made It Worse
- The Bigger Picture: Questions About Power Planning
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Conclusion: Need for Better Preparedness
- Related Posts
Hinjewadi Power Cut: What Happened and Why It Matters
On Sunday, July 6, 2025, Hinjewadi, Pune, faced a major power outage that disrupted daily life and impacted both residential and industrial zones. The problem started due to a serious fault in a high-voltage underground cable that connects Infosys and Pegasus substations. This single fault led to a power blackout in over 12,000 homes and 91 IT and industrial units.
This article breaks down the details of the Hinjewadi power cut, explains what caused it, who was affected, how authorities responded, and what this means for the future of power infrastructure in Pune’s IT hub.
When and How the Outage Happened
Scheduled Maintenance Went Wrong
The Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company Limited (MahaTransco) had planned a routine power maintenance shutdown between 11 AM and 1 PM on Sunday. This was a pre-scheduled maintenance activity for underground cables.
However, shortly after the power was restored post-maintenance, at around 2:10 PM, a major fault occurred in the 220 kV Infosys to Pegasus underground transmission line. This fault disrupted the entire system and caused a massive outage.
Technical Fault Location
According to MSETCL, the fault was located at the 220 kV substation, a critical point in the transmission network. The cable had been functioning under normal conditions before this failure.
Power Cut Timeline
| Time | Event Description |
|---|---|
| 11:00 AM | Scheduled maintenance began |
| 01:00 PM | Maintenance completed, power restored |
| 02:10 PM | Major fault in the Infosys-Pegasus line |
| 03:00 PM+ | Outage affected 12,000 homes and 91 HT users |
Areas and Consumers Affected
High-Tension (HT) and Low-Tension (LT) Consumers
- 91 High-Tension (HT) consumers were affected, including major IT and industrial units.
- 12,000+ Low-Tension (LT) domestic users faced power outages.
Key Companies Hit
- Infosys
- Nextra
- Dohler Company
Residential and Industrial Zones Impacted
| Area | Type |
|---|---|
| Hinjewadi Phase 1 | Residential + IT |
| Hinjewadi Phase 2 | Residential + IT |
| Hinjewadi Phase 3 | IT Hub |
| MIDC Zone | Industrial |
| Wipro Circle | Commercial + IT |
| Raisoni Park | Partial Outage |
Emergency Response and Restoration Efforts
Load Diversion
MSEDCL quickly responded by attempting to divert power through alternate routes. Over 63 MW of load was rerouted to minimize the disruption. However, this process was more helpful for domestic consumers, and HT users had to wait longer.
Restoration Priority
- Domestic consumers were prioritized for early restoration.
- Industrial supply restoration was slower due to higher load requirements.
MSEDCL & MSETCL Coordination
Both companies coordinated their efforts on a war footing. Engineers worked round the clock to trace and fix the fault. But due to the underground nature of the line and complexity of the issue, full restoration was expected to take at least 3 days.
Official Statements
- Anil Kolap, Chief Engineer, MSETCL: “The 220 kV cable has suffered a major fault. Full repairs will need at least three days.”
- Somnath Munde, Executive Engineer, MSEDCL: “We’re working to restore power to homes by Sunday night using alternate sources. But full HT supply may take longer.”
Public Reaction and Inconvenience
Residents’ Struggles
People living in Hinjewadi shared their frustration:
- Rajiv Ranjan, a resident: “We’ve had no power for hours. It’s messed up our work-from-home schedule.”
- Santosh Thakur, Megapolis society: “Usually, power cuts are short and planned. This time, it’s already 9 hours.”
Housing Societies’ Backup Exhausted
Many residential complexes depend on diesel generator backups. But after several hours, the fuel ran out.
IT Companies Affected
Many IT firms instructed employees to work from home. However, even that wasn’t easy as internet routers and laptops lost charge without power.
Traffic Congestion Made It Worse
While the power cut disrupted daily routines, traffic issues added to the chaos. Road work from Wipro Circle to Quadron had led to a one-side road closure.
Travel Alerts
- Heavy traffic expected in Phase 2 and 3
- Alternative route: Maan Road recommended
Advice for Commuters
| Suggestion | Reason |
|---|---|
| Avoid Wipro Circle road | One side closed, traffic jam |
| Use Maan Road | Open and less congested |
| Leave early | To avoid peak-hour jams |
The Bigger Picture: Questions About Power Planning
Poor Communication
Residents and companies felt left in the dark—literally and figuratively. Many complained that there was no official communication or updates from the authorities about the restoration status.
Risk of Infrastructure Failure
This incident brings attention to the fragility of power infrastructure in Pune’s fast-growing IT corridor. Even a single cable fault can cause widespread outages and halt business operations.
Are Backup Systems Enough?
Most societies and companies do have generators. But are they equipped to handle such long outages? In most cases, they are not.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What caused the Hinjewadi power cut?
A fault in the 220 kV underground cable between Infosys and Pegasus substations caused the blackout.
How many people were affected?
Over 12,000 domestic and 91 industrial electricity users lost power.
When did the issue occur?
The problem happened around 2:10 PM on Sunday, July 6, 2025.
How long will it take to restore power?
Full repairs could take up to three days, but domestic supply was restored partially within a few hours via alternate routes.
Which areas were hit the hardest?
Hinjewadi Phases 2 & 3, MIDC, and commercial zones like Wipro Circle were most affected.
Was there any planned shutdown?
Yes, there was scheduled maintenance from 11 AM to 1 PM. The fault occurred after that.
What should residents do during such outages?
Keep batteries charged, have a diesel backup if possible, use mobile data, and avoid peak traffic zones.
Conclusion: Need for Better Preparedness
The Hinjewadi power cut on July 6 wasn’t just a blackout. It showed how one technical fault can affect thousands of lives and jobs. It revealed how unprepared even major urban centers are when faced with infrastructure failure.
Electricity companies must invest in smarter systems and stronger communication. Residents and businesses must also plan better for such emergencies. The hope is that this incident serves as a wake-up call for everyone involved.
To check more about Hinjewadi, Click Here.
I’m Priya Agarwal, and I write about everything related to Hinjewadi! From the latest news and events to hidden spots and local businesses, my articles are all about helping you explore and enjoy this vibrant area. Whether you live here or are just visiting, I aim to bring you useful, interesting, and up-to-date information about Hinjewadi. Stay tuned for more!
