CICU Raises Key Power Supply Concerns of Ludhiana Industry before PSPCL CMD

Ludhiana, August 8, 2026: The Chamber of Industrial & Commercial Undertakings (CICU) has urged the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) to ensure reliable, uninterrupted and quality power supply to Ludhiana’s industrial sector and install a parallel 66-kV power supply line to minimize the risk of major power failures and ensure continuity of industrial operations.
The demand was raised by Upkar Singh Ahuja, President, CICU, during an Interactive Session with the Industrialists of Ludhiana, chaired by Dr. Basant Garg, CMD, PSPCL, at the Power Officers’ Club, PSPCL Complex, Ferozepur Road, Ludhiana.
Ahuja highlighted that reliable power supply is one of the most critical requirements for the growth and competitiveness of Ludhiana’s industrial sector, particularly MSMEs. He stated that frequent unscheduled power cuts, voltage fluctuations and delays in resolving breakdowns are adversely affecting production, damaging costly machinery and disrupting delivery schedules.
Key Demands Raised by CICU
CICU placed several important issues before the PSPCL CMD and senior officials, including:
·         Parallel 66-kV Power Supply: CICU called for installation of a parallel 66-kV power supply line to provide an alternative source of electricity and reduce the risk of prolonged power disruptions in industrial areas.
·         Unscheduled Power Cuts: Frequent and prolonged interruptions should be minimized and stable power supply ensured to industrial areas, particularly major industrial clusters of Ludhiana.
·         Voltage Fluctuations: PSPCL should take effective measures to control voltage fluctuations, which can cause breakdowns and damage expensive industrial machinery and electrical equipment.
·         Strengthening Industrial Feeders: Dedicated industrial feeders should be strengthened and regularly maintained through preventive maintenance to reduce breakdowns.
·         Faster Breakdown Response: A dedicated mechanism/helpdesk should be established for industrial consumers, with field officials ensuring time-bound response and restoration of power supply.
·         Peak-Hour Power Supply: Adequate and uninterrupted electricity should be ensured during peak production hours to avoid disruption to manufacturing operations.
·         Infrastructure Upgradation: Old and overloaded transformers, cables, substations and other distribution infrastructure in industrial areas should be upgraded on priority.
·         New Industrial Connections & Load Enhancement: Applications for new industrial connections and enhancement of sanctioned load should be processed within a defined and time-bound framework.
·         Temporary/Additional Load: PSPCL should facilitate temporary or additional load requirements for industries during periods of increased or seasonal production.
·         Billing & Metering Issues: Incorrect or excess billing, defective meters and meter-related disputes should be resolved promptly through a transparent mechanism.
·         Security Deposits & Advance Payments: CICU sought timely adjustment/refund of eligible security deposits and advance electricity payments and requested PSPCL to review the financial burden on industrial consumers.
·         Interest on Advance Electricity Bills: CICU reiterated its earlier proposal that the interest payable on advance electricity bills should be increased to 10% from the existing 7.5%, considering the financial burden on industrial consumers.
Reliable Power Essential for Industrial Competitiveness
Upkar Singh Ahuja emphasized that high electricity costs coupled with unreliable power supply increase the cost of production and adversely affect the competitiveness of Punjab’s industries, particularly MSMEs. He said Ludhiana is one of Punjab’s major industrial hubs, with a strong presence of engineering, auto components, bicycle, hosiery, textile, fastener, machine-tool and other manufacturing industries. For these sectors, uninterrupted and quality power is essential to maintain productivity, machinery efficiency and timely delivery commitments.
“Reliable and quality power supply is the backbone of industrial production. Any prolonged interruption or voltage fluctuation not only affects production but can also result in substantial losses due to machinery breakdowns, idle manpower and delayed deliveries. Ludhiana’s industry needs a robust and future-ready power network,” said Ahuja.
Dedicated Industry-PSPCL Coordination Mechanism
CICU also requested PSPCL to nominate a senior nodal officer for regular interaction with CICU and industrial associations. Such a mechanism, the chamber said, would enable faster escalation and resolution of power-related complaints and improve coordination between the utility and industrial consumers. CICU further urged PSPCL to ensure faster response from field officials during breakdowns and establish a clear mechanism for tracking and resolving industrial complaints within defined timelines.
Advance Planning for Growing Industrial Demand
CICU stressed that PSPCL should undertake advance planning and capacity augmentation of the distribution network in view of increasing electricity demand from existing industries as well as new industrial investments in Ludhiana and other parts of Punjab. Ahuja said that faster approvals for connections and load enhancement, reliable supply, simplified procedures and effective grievance redressal would significantly improve the Ease of Doing Business environment and support the growth of Punjab’s industrial sector. CICU appreciated PSPCL for providing a platform for direct interaction between senior PSPCL officials and the industrial community and expressed hope that the issues raised during the session would be addressed through time-bound, practical and industry-oriented measures.