Frustration over frequent unannounced power cuts boiled over in parts of Rewa district late Saturday night as villagers blocked the National Highway, bringing traffic to a complete standstill for more than four hours.

Residents from areas under Saman and Raipur Karchuliyan police stations sat on the road near Ratara bypass, halting movement in both directions. Hundreds of trucks, buses, cars and other vehicles were stuck in long queues stretching several kilometres, leaving passengers and drivers stranded in the middle of the night.

The blockade began around midnight when a large group of villagers, tired of prolonged power outages amid scorching heat and humidity, decided to take to the streets. Locals complained that despite repeated complaints to the electricity department, there has been no improvement in supply. Many said hours-long blackouts were making daily life miserable.

Police and administration officials rushed to the spot soon after receiving information. They engaged with the protesting villagers, trying to persuade them to clear the road. After prolonged discussions, the protesters finally agreed to lift the blockade. Traffic movement resumed slowly in the early hours.

Raipur Karchuliyan police station in-charge Rajkumar Tiwari confirmed that villagers resorted to the highway blockade due to electricity problems. He referred further details to Saman police station in-charge Vijay Singh, who declined to comment when contacted.

The electricity department has so far maintained silence on the issue, which has only added to the anger among residents. No official statement has come from the department regarding the frequent power cuts or steps being taken to improve the situation.

This is not the first time villagers in the area have taken to the streets over electricity issues. Earlier too, residents of Ajgarha village under Saman police station had blocked the highway demanding better power supply. Such repeated protests are raising serious questions about the power infrastructure and management in the region.

With summer temperatures still high, the power crisis is affecting both rural households and daily economic activities. Farmers, small shopkeepers and students are among the worst hit. Many fear that if the situation does not improve soon, more such agitations could erupt in other parts of the district.

Local leaders and public representatives are also coming under pressure to take up the matter with higher authorities. For now, the focus remains on restoring normalcy and ensuring that such long outages do not recur.

Further details on the power department’s response and any concrete steps to address the grievance are still awaited. The incident once again highlights the growing impatience among people over basic civic issues in smaller districts of Madhya Pradesh.

Energy Minister Tomar Pulls Up Indore Engineers Over Power Cuts

Indore Power Supply Under Scanner After Minister’s Surprise Visit

Madhya Pradesh Energy Minister Pradyuman Singh Tomar took a late-night inspection of electricity sub-stations in Indore on Monday and directly heard grievances from residents, leading to swift action against two local engineers for alleged negligence in power supply.

The minister reached Old Palasia area where several consumers complained about repeated power outages. Taking serious note of the complaints, Tomar directed immediate issuance of notices to the concerned engineers, signalling a firm stance against lapses in service delivery.

Direct Interaction with Consumers

During the visit, residents of Old Palasia and Manorama Ganj areas openly shared their difficulties with frequent tripping and unreliable supply. Minister Tomar assured them that such carelessness would not be tolerated. He instructed Chief Engineer R.C. Jain to issue show-cause notices to Assistant Engineers Satyaprakash Jaiswal and Kamlesh Tale.

The notices were formally issued on Tuesday afternoon. Officials said the engineers have been asked to explain the reasons for poor maintenance and repeated failures in their jurisdiction. If their replies are found unsatisfactory, further action including stoppage of annual increments may follow.

Focus on Maintenance Quality

Tomar emphasised the need for high-quality maintenance work so that power disruptions are minimised. He directed that advance information about any planned maintenance should be given to local residents to reduce inconvenience. “Laxity in electricity supply matters will not be accepted,” the minister said, according to officials present.

The surprise visit reflects the state government’s growing concern over urban power reliability, especially in major cities like Indore, which has seen rapid residential and commercial growth in recent years.

Senior Officers Accompany Minister

The minister was accompanied by several senior Madhya Pradesh Electricity Board officials during the inspection. These included Chief General Manager Prakash Singh Chauhan, Executive Director Gajra Mehta, Chief Engineer (Works) S.L. Karwadiya, and City Superintending Engineer D.K. Gathe, among others.

Public Reaction and Impact

Many residents welcomed the minister’s direct intervention, hoping it would lead to visible improvements in service. Frequent power cuts have been a persistent issue in several Indore localities, affecting daily life, small businesses, and student studies, especially during summer months when demand peaks due to air-conditioners and coolers.

Local sources indicated that some areas have been facing outages multiple times a day without proper intimation, leading to frustration among consumers. The minister’s move is seen as an attempt to improve accountability at the field level.

Broader Context of Power Sector Reforms

This action comes amid ongoing efforts by the Madhya Pradesh government to strengthen the power distribution network. The state has been working on upgrading infrastructure, reducing AT&C losses, and improving consumer grievance redressal mechanisms. However, implementation at the ground level often remains a challenge in many urban pockets.

Energy experts note that while generation capacity has improved, distribution efficiency and timely maintenance continue to be pain points in several cities. Tomar’s hands-on approach during the visit may set a precedent for similar surprise checks in other areas.

Next Steps and Expectations

The two engineers are expected to submit their replies soon. Department officials said strict timelines have been set for compliance. The minister has also asked for a detailed report on maintenance schedules and outage patterns in the affected areas.

Residents are watching closely whether this administrative action translates into better power supply in the coming days. Many hope the incident will prompt a wider review of operational practices across Indore’s electricity zones.

As summer temperatures remain high, reliable electricity remains a key concern for citizens. The state energy department’s response in the coming weeks will indicate how seriously such public grievances are being addressed at the highest levels.