CICU raises alarm over prolonged power cuts; Says industry cannot afford five-hour evening disruptions

Ludhiana, September 2, 2026: The Chamber of Industrial & Commercial Undertakings (CICU) has raised serious concern over prolonged power disruptions being faced by industrial units across Punjab, particularly during the crucial evening and night hours, stating that the situation is severely affecting production, manpower utilisation and delivery commitments. With power demand reportedly touching around 15,500 MW, PSPCL is closely monitoring feeder loads and resorting to supply interruptions whenever prescribed limits are exceeded. Industrial areas in Ludhiana, Mohali, Khanna and Mandi Gobindgarh are among those witnessing disruptions. CICU said the five-hour power cut from 7 PM to midnight is particularly damaging for industries operating evening and night shifts.
Upkar Singh Ahuja, President, CICU, said that industry cannot operate efficiently on an unpredictable power supply. “A five-hour power cut from 7 PM to midnight is not simply a power interruption—it directly affects production, employment and Punjab’s industrial competitiveness. MSMEs are already under immense cost pressure, and prolonged power cuts make it difficult to maintain production schedules and fulfil customer commitments.”
He pointed out that the impact is far greater in process industries, where restarting machinery after a shutdown can take one to one-and-a-half hours, resulting in loss of productive time, additional energy consumption and possible damage to semi-finished material. “Machines cannot be treated like switches that can simply be turned off and restarted. In textile processing, dyeing and several other continuous manufacturing operations, every shutdown disturbs the entire production cycle. Industry pays industrial tariffs and naturally expects a dependable and quality power supply in return,” Ahuja said.
Honey Sethi, General Secretary, CICU, highlighted the financial burden being faced by MSMEs during power cuts. He said that while machines remain idle, workers continue to be paid, resulting in a direct loss of productivity without any corresponding reduction in fixed operational costs. “The industry suffers a double loss during prolonged power cuts—there is no production, while wages, fixed expenses and other operational costs continue. This is particularly painful for small and medium enterprises that are already competing under tight margins,” Sethi said.
CICU Calls for Immediate Intervention
CICU has urged the Punjab Government and PSPCL to:
·         Minimise prolonged cuts on industrial feeders, particularly during peak production hours.
·         Ensure priority and uninterrupted supply to industrial areas wherever technically feasible.
·         Review feeder-wise load management to avoid placing a disproportionate burden on industry.
·         Provide advance information about scheduled interruptions wherever possible.
·         Establish a dedicated mechanism for managing power supply in major industrial clusters.
·         Engage with industrial associations to assess the ground-level impact of the present situation.
·         Maintain stable voltage and power quality to protect industrial machinery and electronic equipment from fluctuations and sudden tripping.
CICU stressed that reliable electricity is not merely a utility requirement but a fundamental requirement for industrial growth, employment and exports. Ludhiana’s extensive MSME base—including engineering, cycle and bicycle components, auto parts, textile, hosiery, dyeing, forging and other manufacturing sectors—depends on consistent power availability to maintain productivity.
The Chamber said it is ready to cooperate with PSPCL in managing peak demand and maintaining grid stability, but called for a practical mechanism that protects manufacturing activity from prolonged disruptions. “Punjab cannot aspire to strengthen its position as an industrial and export hub if factories are forced to remain idle for hours. Reliable power is the backbone of manufacturing, and protecting industrial supply must be treated as an economic priority,” Ahuja said.
Sethi concluded, “The demand of industry is straightforward: machines should run, workers should work and production should continue. MSMEs should not be placed in a situation where they pay for electricity while simultaneously bearing the cost of prolonged power interruptions.”