Power cuts, water shortages and halted industrial operations disrupt daily life as residents take to the streets

Gurugram is facing a major power crisis after around 40,000 electricity department employees and engineers across Haryana began a three-day strike on October 22. The protest has disrupted electricity supply, affected water services and brought industrial activities to a halt in several areas.

Residents in multiple neighbourhoods have reported prolonged power cuts, with some areas experiencing outages lasting more than 16 hours. As inverter backups ran out, households struggled without electricity, drinking water and internet connectivity. Frustrated residents took to the streets to demand the restoration of essential services.The disruption has also affected industrial units in Gurugram, including areas such as Sector 37, Kadipur and Basai. Several businesses reported stalled machinery and production delays, raising concerns about financial losses and supply commitments. More than 3,000 power-related complaints were reportedly received in Gurugram within the first 12 hours of the strike.

Why Are Electricity Workers on Strike?

The strike follows a decision by the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) to grant a 25-year electricity distribution licence to private company Eleven Power Private Limited for Gurugram and Nuh. The company would be allowed to distribute electricity alongside the existing state-run distribution network.

Employee unions are opposing the decision, arguing that the entry of a private distributor could threaten jobs and affect electricity affordability for farmers and ordinary consumers. They also fear that the move could pave the way for wider privatisation of the power sector.The Haryana government has urged employees to call off the strike and said it would challenge the regulatory decision before the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL). However, talks between officials and employee representatives have so far failed to resolve the dispute.

The three-day strike is scheduled to continue until October 24. Meanwhile, residents and businesses remain concerned about when normal electricity and water supplies will be restored.