Power Outages in South Mumbai Push BEST to Outsource Cable Maintenance

Power outages have become a regular concern for many residents in South Mumbai. Areas including Girgaum and Malabar Hill have faced repeated electricity disruptions over the past few months. In response, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking has decided to outsource underground cable maintenance to improve the reliability of its network. 

The decision comes alongside infrastructure upgrades aimed at reducing cable faults and restoring power more quickly. The question now is whether these measures will bring lasting relief.

Why Is BEST Outsourcing Cable Maintenance?

Ageing underground network under pressure

BEST’s decision follows a series of power outages across South Mumbai. Much of the underground cable network in localities such as Girgaum, Marine Lines, and Malabar Hill has been in use for decades. Higher electricity demand, extreme summer temperatures, and ongoing redevelopment have put additional strain on this ageing infrastructure.

Dear passenger, thank you for reaching out to us. We sincerely apologise for the delay of your train. The train was delayed due to waterlogging in the MUMBAI division at Bridge No. 284 between Umargao and Gholvad. However, all efforts are being made to run the train without…

— DRM Vadodara (@DRMBRCWR) July 23, 2026

Officials have identified nearly 1,200 underground cable fault locations across south and central Mumbai that require urgent repairs.

Can outsourcing improve repair times?

BEST plans to bring in specialised contractors to handle cable fault detection and maintenance while its in-house teams continue managing daily operations. The aim is to reduce repair times, improve preventive maintenance, and deal with faults before they lead to major outages. The utility is also working through a large number of pending cable-related complaints.

Recent South Mumbai Power Outages

Which areas have seen the biggest disruptions?

Residents in Girgaum, Malabar Hill, Marine Lines, Bhuleshwar, Kalbadevi, Opera House, and nearby neighbourhoods experienced repeated power cuts during May and June 2026. In several cases, electricity remained unavailable for hours, affecting homes, offices, shops, and other businesses. The repeated disruptions also led to growing frustration among residents.

What caused the outages?

According to BEST, several outages were linked to faults in underground extra-high-voltage cables near Marine Lines. When one cable failed, electricity demand shifted to backup lines, placing extra pressure on them and causing additional failures.

Repair work also became more complicated where damaged cables ran beneath railway tracks and concrete roads. Officials have also pointed to rising electricity demand, ageing infrastructure, and staff shortages as contributing factors.

BEST’s ₹20 Crore Infrastructure Upgrade Plan

What is included in the upgrade?

BEST has approved a ₹20 crore project to strengthen South Mumbai’s electricity network. The work includes replacing ageing underground cables with new 33kV high-capacity lines between Churchgate and Marine Lines. Around 22,000 consumers in Girgaum and Malabar Hill are expected to benefit once the project is complete. 

The Union Cabinet approved the Semicon India Programme 2.0 with a ₹1.27 trillion outlay to establish India as a global semiconductor hub.

Building on the 2021 launch, the new scheme aims to develop a complete ecosystem covering chip design, fabrication, packaging, materials,… pic.twitter.com/ykvT5HzDUd

— Business Standard (@bsindia) July 23, 2026

Instead of relying on temporary repairs, BEST plans to replace damaged sections of the network with new infrastructure. The utility is also seeking permission to replace cables beneath concrete roads to improve long-term reliability.

What Outsourcing Means for Mumbai Consumers?

If the outsourcing plan works as intended, residents could see several improvements:

• Faster detection and repair of cable faults.
• Better preventive maintenance before failures occur.
• Shorter power outages during emergencies.
• More reliable electricity supply in older parts of South Mumbai.

Even so, these improvements will take time. BEST still needs to coordinate with contractors, obtain excavation approvals, and complete ongoing cable replacement work. As these projects move forward, consumers should gradually experience fewer disruptions and more dependable electricity service.

What’s Next for BEST’s Power Network?

BEST will continue replacing ageing underground cables while expanding upgrades across South Mumbai. The utility has also announced additional recruitment to strengthen field operations and improve response times during outages. 

As electricity demand continues to grow, replacing older infrastructure and outsourcing maintenance could help reduce faults and improve the reliability of Mumbai’s power network.

Conclusion

Outsourcing cable maintenance is one part of BEST’s effort to reduce recurring power outages in South Mumbai. Along with the ₹20 crore upgrade and the installation of new 33kV underground cables, the utility is trying to address the causes of repeated failures instead of relying on temporary repairs. The results will depend on how quickly the projects move ahead and whether the ageing network is upgraded as planned.

Disclaimer:

The content shared by Meyka AI PTY LTD is for research and informational purposes only. Meyka is not a financial advisory service, and the information provided should not be treated as investment or trading advice.