Possibility of sabotage can’t be ruled out: Maharashtra Energy Minister

 Maharashtra’s Energy Minister Nitin Raut said that the possibility of sabotage cannot be ruled out in the massive power outage incident that occurred in Mumbai on Monday. Talking to reporters on Wednesday, Raut said that the power breakdown in the metropolis and neighboring areas like Thane and Navi Mumbai on Monday was “not a small issue”. 

“Our team was working on the 400 KV Kalva-Padga line and the load was shifted from circuit 1 to 2. But there was a technical problem and the Kharghar unit stopped,” Raut said. “A technical team from the Centre has arrived in Mumbai to discuss the power failure issue,” the minister said, adding that an inquiry committee will also be set up. 

The central technical team is expected to submit its report within a week. 

The minister also said that a system audit is being prepared. The train services were halted for over two hours on the lines operated by the Central Railway and Western Railway. Office work was badly affected as lakhs of people who are working from home due to the coronavirus pandemic, did not have power back-ups at their homes. 

Meanwhile, a Central energy ministry technical team has reached Mumbai. Even the cybercrime department of Maharashtra has also started the inquiry on whether it was a cyber attack on the system. If required, it will file an FIR too.