MSEB technical director M Gajaralwar told The Financial Express that the 400 kv lines between Sarni and Koradis, Bhilai and Koradi tripped around 11 AM. These lines with a transmission capacity of 1,300 mw fall in the central region (NTPC, Madhya Pradesh) reportedly tripped due to excess pressure.

The power failure brought the functioning of the Maharashtra State Legislature, industries, banks, government and non-government offices to a grinding halt for over two hours. The power failure occurred when members of both houses of the state legislature were engaged in a heated debate.

The tripping of these lines severely affected the functioning of power generation stations situated at Chandrapur (7sets), Koradi (4 sets), Paras (1 set), Bhusaval (3 sets) and Parali (5 sets) with a total generation capacity of 4,400 mw. However, Nashik and Babaleshwar power stations were not affected in view of separate grid.

Gajaralwar said that the Koyana, Tata, Railways and Tarapore sections with a power generation capacity of 4,400 mw were also not affected. He said that MSEB was as surprised by today's failure as there was a power supply of more than 10,000 mw all over Maharashtra. Power supply was restored after two hours in Vidarbha, Khandesh and Marathwada region.

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government on Wednesday said that MSEB had to resort to load-shedding on four occasions in November in view of excess power consumed by neighbouring by Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat from the national grid. State energy minister Gopinath Munde said in a written reply to a calling attention motion by Rohidas Patil (Cong) and others.

Munde said that load-shedding was done for about two hours on these occasions in November lastdue to inadequate power supply to overcome demand during evening.

It was necessary as there has been a trade off between the mounting demand for power and supply. Though there has been an annual 9 per cent rise in demand for power, generation was inadequate. Lack of regular maintenance and closure of power generation on account of technical snags led to less power generation and supply. Moreover, there was a dip in the reactive load following additional power consumed by agricultural pumps in November.