Pune: Frustration reached a boiling point in Moshi as residents were left in darkness for 20 hours following a power cable break on Saturday (September 21) night.

The outage, which affected areas such as Borhade Wadi and Barne Vasti, lasted until 5 p.m. the following day, leaving thousands of residents without electricity and water, and prompting a public protest against Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDC - Mahavitaran).

On Sunday morning, local residents, along with members of the Maha Vikas Aghadi, gathered in Borhadewadi, Woodsville Phase 2, to voice their discontent with the frequent power cuts plaguing the area. 

The protest was spearheaded by Shiv Sena UBT leader Rupali Parshuram Alhat, with significant support from the local community and representatives of various political parties. 

Among the notable attendees were Ajit Gawhane of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar), former municipal servant Vasant Borate, and Maha Vikas Aghadi officials.

Protesters submitted a memorandum to Mahavitaran, demanding immediate action to resolve the recurring power issues. 

"Despite paying hefty electricity bills, we continue to suffer from frequent outages," one resident lamented, while others voiced concerns over the impact on small businesses, many of which faced financial losses due to the disruption. 

The proximity of the MIDC industrial area, home to many workers, further exacerbated the situation, as the outage affected both residents and laborers.

The power failure not only left homes in the dark but also disrupted the water supply in several housing societies, leaving residents without access to drinking water. Many had to purchase water, compounding their frustrations.