Apparently, the Load Distribution Centre at Kalwa, which receives a 400 kV line from Padgha had developed problems at around 9.15 pm. As a result, power to the railways was shut down at around 9.25 pm.

Around the same time the TEC’s Trombay unit developed problems, which affected BEST and Reliance Energy Ltd. This plunged the city and some parts of the suburbs into darkness.

Here’s how the city tackled the blackout.

Police

City police stations were already on alert due to the likely showers in the evening.

However, policemen at the state police headquarters had to record messages and complaints in candlelight. A constable who attended the phone call at the main police control room, said the city was largely peaceful.

Trains

Thousands of commuters were stranded inside local trains, while a similar number were stranded at CST and Churchgate railway stations. Adequate policemen (GRP) and (RPF) were deployed at all railway stations for bandobast duty.

Railway officials revealed that trains on both Central and Western railway were affected due to the power failure and trains had stopped one behind the other.

Some commuters preferred walking on the tracks to reach the nearest station.

Autos and taxis

Auto and taxi drivers made the most of the power cut, charging heavy fares even for short distances. Anjali Roy, a resident of Dadar, claims that she was asked to shell out Rs 200 by the cab driver from CST to her residence.

The non-functioning of traffic signals on the street resulted in traffic jams in most parts of the city. Traffic police had a tough time clearing roadblocks due to jams.

Movie theatres

Movie theatres were affected due to the sudden failure during the shows. At Regal in Colaba, where the film The Passion of the Christ is being screened, the 7.30 pm show was disrupted when power went off at 9.25 pm.

“Though there was no power for 40 minutes, the public refused to move as they didn’t want to miss the climax,” said Jehangir Dastoor, relief manager of Regal.

Airport

The airports were unaffected by the power failure. A senior airport official said that all flights were on time and there was no delay in arrival or departures of any flight.

Hospitals

Generators at hospital emergency centres (causalty, operation theatres) kept the work moving during the power failure.

Chaos reigned at KEM Hospital as doctors had to deal with patients even in the dark.

However, hospitals like Bhagwati and Nanavati were spared the power failure. Bhabha hospital at Bandra lost power for just a minute.

Did the blackout affect you?

My office is at Grant Road and I left at 6.30 pm. Although I live in Borivali, I got off at Kandivli at around 9.30 pm to do some shopping. Fortunately, I did not experience any problems while commuting.
Devendra Singh Kohli
Businessman

Yes. There was a lot of inconve- nience as the lifts in my building were not working. I had to climb three floors which left me breathless.
Naina Mehta
House wife

I left from Sewri at 6.30 pm to reach my residence at Andheri. Though I didn’t face any problem, I feel there was some mischief involved as the Sensex crashed the day before, and then this power failure happened yesterday.
Tahir Warsi
Writer

I had no problem. But three of my relatives who live in Bhayandar were stranded at the railway station and we were worried for them. Even a guest who was supposed to visit us was unable to reach our place.
Lalit Parmar
Journalist

I left my office from Cotton Green at 7.30 p.m and reached my home in Mulund at 9 pm. But, I had no problem as I came by car.
Ameet A Amrotkar
Senior executive