Dwarka Expressway Plunged into Darkness: 60,000 Families Endure Up to 20-Hour Blackout

Gurugram residents along the Dwarka Expressway faced an unprecedented ordeal as a massive power outage left over 60,000 families in darkness for up to 20 hours. The extensive blackout, triggered by heavy monsoon rains, crippled daily life across more than 50 societies in sectors 102, 103, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, and 113, sparking outrage and widespread protests.

The ordeal began late on Monday night, with electricity disappearing from homes and failing to return for most of Tuesday.

Residents woke up to a nightmare scenario: no power meant no running water, elevators stuck, and sweltering apartments as air conditioners and fans remained inert. The situation quickly escalated into a humanitarian concern, especially for the elderly, young children, and those with medical conditions.

"This is absolutely unacceptable! We pay hefty maintenance charges, and yet our basic amenities are snatched away for such long durations," fumed Rajesh Kumar, a resident of Sector 108, whose society faced a complete blackout for over 18 hours.

"It feels like we are living in a rural setup, not a modern city like Gurugram." The frustration was palpable, with many residents taking to the streets to protest, demanding immediate action and accountability from the power utility.

Officials from Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) attributed the widespread failure to the severe weather.

Heavy rainfall reportedly caused significant damage to both 33kV and 11kV power lines, critical for supplying electricity to these densely populated areas. Adding to the crisis, the Jamalpur grid substation also experienced an outage, exacerbating the already dire situation. "The damage was extensive due to the incessant rain and high winds," stated a senior DHBVN official.

"Our teams are working round-the-clock to restore power, with additional personnel deployed to expedite repairs."

However, residents highlighted that this isn't an isolated incident but a recurring nightmare during the monsoon season. "Every year, with the first heavy rain, we brace ourselves for power cuts.

But this time, it has been exceptionally long and devastating," remarked Sunita Sharma, a mother of two, who was forced to leave her apartment for a relative's house due to the lack of power and water. Reports of transformer blasts and sparking wires only added to the anxiety and fear among the affected communities.

While power was gradually restored to some areas by Tuesday evening, many societies continued to grapple with the darkness into Wednesday morning, with residents growing increasingly exasperated.

The incident has once again brought into sharp focus the urgent need for robust infrastructure and contingency plans to withstand the challenges posed by extreme weather, ensuring that such prolonged outages do not recur in one of India's fastest-growing urban centers.